El Paso Sheriff Wiles bans use of nicotine products by new hires – on and off duty
El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles on April 8, 2014 implemented a ban on all nicotine products anywhere on Sheriff’s Office property.
The new policy applies to all employees, volunteers, interns, and reserve deputies.
Wiles says he will only hire potential candidates who share this commitment and are dedicated to being role models, according to a Sheriff’s Office statement.
New Sheriff’s Office employees must sign a “Condition of Employment Agreement” in which the employee agrees not to use nicotine products both on and off duty.
Sheriff’s Office personnel employed with the office before April 8, 2014, may continue to use nicotine products, but have to leave the grounds of any Sheriff’s Office facility, including county buildings, facility parking lots, and County owned vehicles.
Uniformed employees and employees wearing any attire with the Sheriff’s Office insignia are not allowed to smoke or chew tobacco in any place within public view.
The Sheriff’s Office will support employees who want to quit smoking or using similar products by providing smoking cessation programs offered by the County of El Paso.
The public will also be notified of these changes as signs shall be posted at the entrances to all Sheriff’s Office facilities notifying persons entering the facility that the use of nicotine products is prohibited.
