Broward Sheriff's Office Watch Commander SOP

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Questions and Answers

Who assigns additional duties to the Watch Commander?

Deputy Executive Director, DLE (correct)

On-scene Commander

Line Supervisor

Watch Commander themselves

Who does the Watch Commander report to?

Line Supervisor

On-scene Commander

Deputy Executive Director, DLE (correct)

Sheriff

Under what circumstances may a Watch Commander take command of an operation or incident?

When the line supervisor is unavailable

When the scope of the operation or incident exceeds the normal span of control or experience level of the on-scene line supervisor (correct)

When the Watch Commander is the first to arrive at the scene

When the incident occurs during regular office hours

What is the primary responsibility of the Watch Commander?

To exercise on-scene command staff oversight of field operations and critical incidents Signup and view all the answers

Who has sole authority in deploying assets to significant incidents?

Watch Commander Signup and view all the answers

Who selects the Watch Commander?

Deputy Executive Director, DLE Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Watch Commander in providing feedback?

Providing feedback to the DLE command staff Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Watch Commander's role in providing advice and support?

To support line supervisors and deputies Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary responsibilities of the Watch Commander?

Meeting with line supervisors to provide command level support. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for notifying Watch Commanders of significant or critical incidents?

Communications duty officers and line supervisors Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ways the Watch Commander improves operational efficiency?

By evaluating and providing feedback to supervisors and staff Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criteria for an incident to be considered significant or critical?

In-custody death of a suspect Signup and view all the answers

Who does the Watch Commander liaison with to monitor significant incidents on a county-wide basis?

Communications duty officer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Watch Commander's attendance at roll-calls?

To address questions or concerns and provide regular updates Signup and view all the answers

What is the effective date of the Standard Operating Procedures?

12/16/2023 Signup and view all the answers

Who initiates DLE command notifications when a significant incident occurs?

Watch Commander Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

Who does the Watch Commander notify if the Deputy Executive Director is not available?

The Sheriff Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of employee misconduct?

Internal Affairs response Signup and view all the answers

What type of incident is not a reason for DLE command notification?

Minor traffic accident Signup and view all the answers

Who is the first point of contact for DLE command notifications?

The Deputy Executive Director Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a BSO employee's actions leading to a suspect's death?

DLE command notification Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of DLE command notifications?

To inform command staff of significant incidents Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following incidents requires an immediate Internal Affairs response?

Employee misconduct necessitating an immediate Internal Affairs response Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following incidents is not mentioned in the Standard Operating Procedures?

Bank robberies Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Quick Response Force (QRF) Requests or deployments?

The purpose is not specified in the Standard Operating Procedures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following incidents involves the death or serious injury of a BSO employee?

Death or serious injury/hospitalization of a BSO employee Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

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

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Description

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.