Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 12.1 Quiz

Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 12.1: Command and Control

• Effective Date: August 26, 2024
• Supersedes: February 9, 2021
• Accreditation Standards: CFA 1.02, 2.03, 2.04
• Number of Pages: 6
• Purpose: Defines the authority of the Sheriff and provides agency command and supervisory guidelines.
• Scope: Applies to all members of the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

Contents

• Section I: Command
• Section II: Command Succession
• Section III: Command Protocol
• Section IV: Chain of Command
• Section V: Obedience to Orders
• Section VI: Staff Meetings
• Section VII: Interaction Meetings
• Section VIII: General
• Section IX: Annual Review
• Section X: Glossary

Policy

• The Sheriff has authority over all members and components, consistent with Florida laws and Pasco County ordinances. Sheriff's authority is derived from Florida Statute 30.15.

Procedure

• Command: The Sheriff appoints staff to assist in command, subordinates may supervise units or sections.
• Supervisor Authority: Supervisors have authority to perform delegated tasks and direct subordinates. Acting supervisors have the same authority.
• Member Authority: Members are authorized to make decisions commensurate with their positions and responsibilities.
• Accountability: The Sheriff is responsible for all tasks; supervisors are accountable for subordinates' performance, and each member for their assigned responsibilities.
• Command Succession: To ensure leadership continuity, succession follows a specific order, unless otherwise directed by the Sheriff. Order includes Undersheriff of Law Enforcement Operations, Undersheriff of Administrative Operations, Undersheriff of Community Outreach Operations, Field Operations Bureau Commander, Investigation and Criminal Intelligence, Joint Operations, Operational Logistics, Strategic Initiatives, and Community Engagement Bureau Commanders.

Command Protocol

• Unity of Command: Each member is accountable to only one supervisor at a time. One person directly commands each organizational unit.

Incident Command

• An incident is led by the division best suited to handle it. Only one person commands each situation. Personnel assisting are expected to follow Incident Command System procedures laid out in General Order 46.3.

Assuming Command (Senior Rank)

• Senior rank members identify themselves and announce their intention to assume command if the situation is beyond the current leader's control or if another senior member directs it.

Assuming Command (Junior Rank)

• A junior rank member can take command when the current leader is unable to perform duties due to physical or mental conditions.
• The junior supervisor documents the situation in a memorandum and submits it through the chain of command.

Chain of Command

• The chain of command formalizes communication channels between all levels of the organization. It ensures proper communication flow.

• Breaking the Chain of Command: Instances when breaking the chain are allowed include when a subordinate believes the supervisor is involved in unlawful conduct or if an unlawful order is given.

• Circumventing the Chain of Command: Subordinates should request permission from their immediate supervisors to bypass the chain of command, this request should be written or verbal and the supervisor will then make the request known to higher command, for disposition if appropriate.

Informal Communication

• Members are encouraged to use informal communication to promote agency progress. However, it must not undermine supervisory authority.

Notification of High Liability Incidents

• Bureau commanders are responsible for notifying the Sheriff of incidents with potential liability or those eliciting significant community interest (e.g., death, serious injury, major property damage).

Obedience to Orders

• Members must obey all lawful orders from supervisors or other competent authorities. This includes orders relayed from higher ranks and must be followed even when a lower rank is relaying the order.
• Members must not obey any unlawful order. Refusal to obey an unlawful order is not punishable and should be documented to the appropriate supervisor.
• If a conflicting order is received, members must notify the person issuing the second order and wait for further instructions. Responsibility for resolution of the conflict lies with the person giving the second order; the member will not be held responsible for disobeying the prior order.
• Members are required to obey unclear orders but should seek clarification if there is doubt surrounding the nature, meaning, or specifics of the order.

Staff Meetings

• Participatory meetings are held regularly at all levels within the Sheriff's Office.
• Minutes of the meetings are used for policy determinations, problem-solving, and record-keeping.
• The Sheriff periodically meets with command and executive staff to address policies and operational decisions.

Interaction Meetings

• Command staff conducts periodic meetings with members from each functional unit to promote open conversation and address individual concerns.

Specialized Assignments

• The existence of several specialized units, including crisis management, school resource officers, highway interdiction, underwater recovery, and mounted units are mentioned. These units assignments are reviewed annually by the appropriate commander.

Glossary

• Acting: Temporarily serving in a position where all associated responsibilities are adopted until the official position holder returns.
• Authority: The right to command and execute official action.
• Chain of Command: The designated line of authority that establishes communication and decision-making power.
• Command Staff: Individuals, like the Sheriff or Undersheriffs, who hold positions at the highest levels of command.
• Executive Staff: Individuals assigned to specialized administrative roles.