32 Questions
Who assigns additional duties to the Watch Commander?
Deputy Executive Director, DLE
Who does the Watch Commander report to?
Deputy Executive Director, DLE
Under what circumstances may a Watch Commander take command of an operation or incident?
When the scope of the operation or incident exceeds the normal span of control or experience level of the on-scene line supervisor
What is the primary responsibility of the Watch Commander?
To exercise on-scene command staff oversight of field operations and critical incidents
Who has sole authority in deploying assets to significant incidents?
Watch Commander
Who selects the Watch Commander?
Deputy Executive Director, DLE
What is the role of the Watch Commander in providing feedback?
Providing feedback to the DLE command staff
What is the primary purpose of the Watch Commander's role in providing advice and support?
To support line supervisors and deputies
What is one of the primary responsibilities of the Watch Commander?
Meeting with line supervisors to provide command level support.
Who is responsible for notifying Watch Commanders of significant or critical incidents?
Communications duty officers and line supervisors
What is one of the ways the Watch Commander improves operational efficiency?
By evaluating and providing feedback to supervisors and staff
What is the purpose of the Watch Commander's end of shift summary?
To summarize significant incidents and provide updates to the Watch Commander Distribution list
What is one of the criteria for an incident to be considered significant or critical?
In-custody death of a suspect
Who does the Watch Commander liaison with to monitor significant incidents on a county-wide basis?
Communications duty officer
What is the primary purpose of the Watch Commander's attendance at roll-calls?
To address questions or concerns and provide regular updates
What is the effective date of the Standard Operating Procedures?
12/16/2023
Who initiates DLE command notifications when a significant incident occurs?
Watch Commander
What type of incident requires DLE command notification?
All of the above, plus any incident at the discretion of a line supervisor or Duty Officer
Who does the Watch Commander notify if the Deputy Executive Director is not available?
The Sheriff
What is the consequence of employee misconduct?
Internal Affairs response
What type of incident is not a reason for DLE command notification?
Minor traffic accident
Who is the first point of contact for DLE command notifications?
The Deputy Executive Director
What is the consequence of a BSO employee's actions leading to a suspect's death?
DLE command notification
What is the purpose of DLE command notifications?
To inform command staff of significant incidents
What is the incident that involves the death or serious injury of any person, where a BSO employee's actions are reasonably believed to be a contributing factor?
Any incident where any actions of a BSO employee are reasonably believed to be a contributing factor in the death or serious injury of any person
What is the purpose of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the Broward Sheriff's Office?
To provide guidelines for BSO employees in various situations
Which of the following incidents requires an immediate Internal Affairs response?
Employee misconduct necessitating an immediate Internal Affairs response
What is the incident that involves the arrest or relief from duty of a BSO employee?
Arrest or relief from duty of a BSO employee
Which of the following incidents is not mentioned in the Standard Operating Procedures?
Bank robberies
What is the purpose of the Quick Response Force (QRF) Requests or deployments?
The purpose is not specified in the Standard Operating Procedures
Which of the following incidents involves the death or serious injury of a BSO employee?
Death or serious injury/hospitalization of a BSO employee
What is the incident that involves the arrest or significant incident of a public official, high-profile individual or law enforcement officer?
Arrest or significant incident involving any public official, high-profile individual or law enforcement officer
Study Notes
Watch Commander's Role and Authority
- Exercises on-scene command staff oversight of field operations and critical incidents
- Provides command level leadership after regularly scheduled office hours
- Provides feedback to the DLE command staff and advises, supports, and mentors deputies and line supervisors
- Has sole authority in deploying assets to significant incidents requiring road patrol resources from multiple districts or incidents where significant BSO road patrol resources are requested by outside agencies
- May take command of an operation or incident under certain circumstances, such as when the scope of the operation or incident exceeds the normal span of control or experience level of the on-scene line supervisor, or when there is involvement of multiple districts, divisions, and/or interagency involvement
Watch Commander's Duties and Responsibilities
- Monitors radio traffic and responds to the scene of major incidents to provide leadership and management presence
- Meets with line supervisors to provide command level support and ensure compliance with agency policies, procedures, and directives
- Liaises with the Communications duty officer to monitor significant incidents on a county-wide basis
- Maintains and identifies ways to improve operational efficiency by overseeing, evaluating, and providing feedback to supervisors, staff operating in the field, and the Deputy Executive Director, DLE, or designee
- Liaises with other agencies conducting operations within the Sheriff's jurisdiction
- Routinely attends roll-calls to provide feedback, addresses questions or concerns, and provides regular updates regarding agency issues
- Authors an end of shift summary detailing significant incidents and publishes the summary via email to the Watch Commander Distribution list in outlook
Notifications
- Communications duty officers and line supervisors shall notify Watch Commanders of all significant or critical incidents, including but not limited to:
- In-custody death of a suspect
- Any incident where the actions of a BSO employee are reasonably believed to be a contributing factor in the death or serious injury of any person
- Discharge of a firearm by a BSO employee
- Death or serious injury/hospitalization of a BSO employee
- Major or unusual traffic crashes involving BSO vehicles
- And many other types of incidents (see text for full list)
- Watch Commanders will initiate DLE command notifications when certain incidents occur, including but not limited to:
- In-custody death of a suspect
- Any incident where the actions of BSO employees are reasonably believed to be a contributing factor in the death or serious injury of any person
- Discharge of a firearm by a BSO employee
- Death or serious injury/hospitalization of a BSO employee
- Arrest or relief from duty of a BSO employee
- Employee misconduct necessitating an Internal Affairs response
- Significant incident or arrest involving any public official, high-profile individual or law enforcement officer
- Civil disturbance / riot
- Requests for significant assistance from outside law enforcement agencies
- Any incident at the discretion of the Watch Commander
This quiz covers the standard operating procedures for the Watch Commander in the Broward Sheriff's Office, including their role in field operations and critical incidents.
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