Broward Sheriff's Office Watch Commander SOP

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 a Watch Commander in the Broward Sheriff's Office, including their role in field operations and critical incidents.