251 – Rendering Courtesy to the National Anthem

I. Policy

Harris County Sheriff’s Office personnel shall render the proper courtesy to the national anthem as described herein when it is played.

A. Personnel in uniform (with or without headdress) while in formation:

Execute “present arms” and “order arms” at the command of the officer in charge.

B. Personnel in uniform (with or without headdress) not in formation:

1. If outdoors with or without a headdress, at the first note of music, stand at attention, face the American flag, and render a hand salute until the last note of music is heard. If the American flag cannot be seen, stand at attention, face the direction where the music is coming from, and render a hand salute until the last note of music is played.

2. If indoors and wearing a headdress, at the first note of music, stand at attention, face the American flag, and render a hand salute until the last note of music is heard. If the American flag cannot be seen, stand at attention, face the direction where the music is coming from, and render a hand salute until the last note of music is played.

3. If indoors and not wearing a headdress, at the first note of music, stand at attention, face the American flag, and place your right hand over your heart until the last note of music is heard. If the American flag cannot be seen, stand at attention, face the direction where the music is coming from, and place your right hand over your heart until the last note of music is played.

C. Personnel wearing plain clothes with headdress:

If indoors or outdoors, at the first note of music, face the American flag, stand at attention, and hold the headdress over the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart until the last note of music is played. If the American flag cannot be seen, stand at attention, face the direction where the music is coming from, and hold the headdress over the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart until the last note of music is played.

D. Personnel wearing plain clothes without headdress:

If indoors or outdoors, at the first note of music, face the American flag, stand at attention, and place your right hand over the heart until the last note of music is played. If the American flag cannot be seen, stand at attention, face the direction where the music is coming from, and place your right hand over the heart until the last note of music is played.

Revision

This policy has been revised on the below listed dates:

February 7, 2011