Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who does the Watch Commander report to?
Who does the Watch Commander report to?
Who selects the Watch Commander?
Who selects the Watch Commander?
What is the primary role of the Watch Commander?
What is the primary role of the Watch Commander?
When can a Watch Commander take command of an operation or incident?
When can a Watch Commander take command of an operation or incident?
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What is the authority of the Watch Commander in deploying assets?
What is the authority of the Watch Commander in deploying assets?
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Who generally remains in command of operations or incidents?
Who generally remains in command of operations or incidents?
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What is the role of the Watch Commander in relation to line supervisors and deputies?
What is the role of the Watch Commander in relation to line supervisors and deputies?
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What may the Deputy Executive Director, DLE, or designee assign to the Watch Commander?
What may the Deputy Executive Director, DLE, or designee assign to the Watch Commander?
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What is one of the primary responsibilities of the Watch Commander in regards to major incidents?
What is one of the primary responsibilities of the Watch Commander in regards to major incidents?
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What is the purpose of the Watch Commander's meetings with line supervisors?
What is the purpose of the Watch Commander's meetings with line supervisors?
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What is one of the ways the Watch Commander identifies ways to improve operational efficiency?
What is one of the ways the Watch Commander identifies ways to improve operational efficiency?
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Who is responsible for notifying the Watch Commander of significant or critical incidents?
Who is responsible for notifying the Watch Commander of significant or critical incidents?
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What is one of the types of incidents that requires notification to the Watch Commander?
What is one of the types of incidents that requires notification to the Watch Commander?
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What is the purpose of the Watch Commander's end of shift summary?
What is the purpose of the Watch Commander's end of shift summary?
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Where is the Watch Commander's end of shift summary published?
Where is the Watch Commander's end of shift summary published?
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What is one of the benefits of the Watch Commander's regular attendance at roll-calls?
What is one of the benefits of the Watch Commander's regular attendance at roll-calls?
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What type of incident involves a BSO employee's actions contributing to a person's death or serious injury?
What type of incident involves a BSO employee's actions contributing to a person's death or serious injury?
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Which of the following is a type of incident that requires an immediate Internal Affairs response?
Which of the following is a type of incident that requires an immediate Internal Affairs response?
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What is the purpose of reviewing incidents involving BSO employees?
What is the purpose of reviewing incidents involving BSO employees?
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Which of the following incidents would require a response from the SWAT team?
Which of the following incidents would require a response from the SWAT team?
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What type of incident involves a law enforcement officer or public official?
What type of incident involves a law enforcement officer or public official?
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Which of the following incidents would require a response from the Quick Response Force (QRF)?
Which of the following incidents would require a response from the Quick Response Force (QRF)?
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What is the purpose of reviewing incidents involving multiple districts or agencies?
What is the purpose of reviewing incidents involving multiple districts or agencies?
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Which of the following incidents would require a response from the Bomb Squad?
Which of the following incidents would require a response from the Bomb Squad?
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What type of operations require pre-planning?
What type of operations require pre-planning?
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Who initiates DLE command notifications when an incident occurs?
Who initiates DLE command notifications when an incident occurs?
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What is an incident that may attract significant media interest?
What is an incident that may attract significant media interest?
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What is a reason for initiating DLE command notifications?
What is a reason for initiating DLE command notifications?
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Who is the second point of contact for DLE command notifications if the Deputy Executive Director is not available?
Who is the second point of contact for DLE command notifications if the Deputy Executive Director is not available?
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What is a factor that may contribute to the death or serious injury of a person?
What is a factor that may contribute to the death or serious injury of a person?
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What is an incident that may require an Internal Affairs response?
What is an incident that may require an Internal Affairs response?
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Who has the discretion to initiate DLE command notifications?
Who has the discretion to initiate DLE command notifications?
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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 a Watch Commander in the Broward Sheriff's Office, including their role in field operations and critical incidents.
