DENVER SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
Office of the Sheriff
 Department Order
1.00.2008
 Previous Revision:
October 2021		  Current Revision:
August 2023		  Reviewed:
January 2023		  Effective Date:
August 8th, 2023
Related Standards:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990: Title I
Career Service Rules (CSR): 12
Code of Federal Regulations: 29 C.F.R. Part 1630
Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act: C.R.S. §24-34-401, et seq.
United Stated Code (U.S.C.): 42 U.S.C. §12116
Related (referenced) Department Orders:
N/A
 Subject:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON- DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY
  1.  Purpose: 
    1. The purpose of this order is to stipulate the Denver Sheriff Department (“DSD” or "Department") policy regarding  equal employment opportunity and non-discriminatory on the basis of disability in employment.
    2. This order sets forth the Department's commitment to equal employment opportunity as mandated by law and is not intended to give rise to any contractual or other actionable legal rights concerning any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. The Department reserves the right to remove or change this order at any time without prior notice.
  2. Policy: 
    1. It is the policy of the City and County of Denver ("CCD" or the "City") and the Department to ensure that all qualified persons, including qualified individuals with a disability, have an equal opportunity for access to employment, employment benefits, and other career and promotional opportunities and other terms, conditions or privileges of employment. 
    2. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, equal employment opportunity includes the obligations of an employer to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a disability absent undue hardship.
    3. Refer to Title I of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) §12116; 28 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) 1630; and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act: C.R.S. §24-34-401, et seq.
  3. Cancellation: This order supersedes and cancels previous versions of Department Order 1.00.2008. 
  4.  Definitions:
    1. "Disability" is any physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity. Impairments include, but are not limited to, physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one (1) or more body systems, such as neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, immune, circulatory, hemic, lymphatic, skin and endocrine. An impairment may also be any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability (formerly termed mental retardation), organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
    2. "Career Service Rules or CSR" govern employment with the City, including pay, classification, transfers, dispute resolutions, promotions, training, and other personnel policies. 
    3. "Civilians" refer to non-sworn employees serving the DSD.
    4. "Code of Federal Regulations" means the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government of the United States. 
    5. "Colorado Revised Statutes or C.R.S." are the codified general and permanent statutes of the Colorado General Assembly. 
    6. "Individual with a Disability" as defined by the Department, the City, and ADA:
      1. "An employee or individual seeking employment who has 1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more major life activities or bodily functions, 2) a record of such impairment, or 3) being regarded as having such impairment."
    7. "Equal Employment Opportunity" means a set a laws that prohibit discrimination against job applicants based on protected class status such as race, color, age, sex, national origin, religion, or mental or physical disability.
    8. "Uniformed employees" refer to sworn deputies serving the DSD.  
  5. Equal Employment Opportunity:
    1. General:
      1. The City and the Department will not discriminate against an employee or an individual seeking employment with the Department in regard to job application procedures, hiring, advancement or discharge of employees, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of actual or perceived race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, gender/sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or caregiver status), marital status, military status, religion, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or regulation. 
      2. With respect to the Department's commitment not to discriminate against an employee or an individual seeking employment on the basis of a disability:
        1. The employee or individual seeking employment must be qualified for the position and be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation or be able to participate in the hiring process with or without reasonable accommodation. See Career Service Rule (CSR) 12.
        2. The employee or individual seeking employment must have a qualifying disability as described in Section 4 - Definitions.
        3. The Department will provide a reasonable accommodation to an individual with a known disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the Department or the individual would pose a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation.
    2. Periodic Review:
      1. To ensure equal employment opportunity, the Department's head of hiring will periodically review this policy to identify any potential problems. Any problems will be brought to the attention of the Sheriff, who will determine any corrective action.
  6. Accountability: 
    1. It shall be the responsibility of  all DSD personnel, uniformed and civilian, to be familiar with this order and to comply with its directives. 
  7. Responsibility: 
    1. Training: 
      1. The Training Academy shall ensure that the curriculum of all currently existing classes and any newly developed classes are compliant with this order.
    2. Management: 
      1. The division chief/unit commander or unit manager of any division or unit affected by this policy shall:
        1. ensure that existing procedures and all newly developed orders are in compliance with this order;
        2. ensure that all affected personnel are made aware of this policy; and
        3. ensure this policy is reviewed annually for compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and standards.
    3. Supervisors: 
      1. All supervisors shall ensure that the provisions of this policy are being followed.
    4. Staff: 
      1. All employees shall comply with the provisions of this policy.
  8. Effective Date: This order will become effective on August 8th, 2023.  
  9. Approval: This document has been reviewed, approved, and electronically signed by the Sheriff of the City and County of Denver prior to its publication.