Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 12.1 PDF

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: COMMAND AND CONTROL GENERAL ORDER: 12.1 EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 26, 2024 SUPERSEDES: FEBRUARY 9, 2021 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: CFA 1.02, 2.03, 2.04 PAGES:...

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: COMMAND AND CONTROL GENERAL ORDER: 12.1 EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 26, 2024 SUPERSEDES: FEBRUARY 9, 2021 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: CFA 1.02, 2.03, 2.04 PAGES: 6 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. COMMAND II. COMMAND SUCCESSION III. COMMAND PROTOCOL IV. CHAIN OF COMMAND V. OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS VI. STAFF MEETINGS VII. INTERACTION MEETINGS VIII. GENERAL IX. ANNUAL REVIEW X. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To define the authority of the Sheriff and provide agency command and supervisory guidelines. SCOPE: This order applies to all members. DISCUSSION: To accomplish the agency goals and objectives established by the Sheriff, each member must be aware of the organizational structure and command authority relative to his or her position in the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff has the authority and responsibility for the management, direction, and control of the agency. 1  G.O. 12.1 POLICY: The Sheriff has the authority over all members and components of the agency consistent with the laws and constitution of the State of Florida and the ordinances of Pasco County. The Sheriff’s authority is derived from F.S. 30.15. PROCEDURE: I. COMMAND: The Sheriff appoints staff as necessary to assist in the exercise of command. Subordinates may be appointed to supervise commands, bureaus, divisions, sections, or units within the agency. A. Supervisor Authority: All supervisors are granted sufficient authority to perform the tasks delegated to them and effectively direct their subordinates. This authority is extended to acting supervisors during their assignment. B. Member Authority: Each member has the authority to make those decisions that are commensurate with their position and necessary for the execution of assigned duties and responsibilities. C. Accountability: The Sheriff may delegate authority, but is responsible for all tasks and duties. Each supervisor is accountable for the performance of members under his or her immediate supervision. Each member is accountable for the effective and efficient execution of assigned duties and the use or failure to use the authority delegated to them. II. COMMAND SUCCESSION: To ensure continuity of command and make certain effective leadership is available in situations when the Sheriff is out of the county, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to act, command succeeds in the following order, unless otherwise directed: A. Undersheriff of Law Enforcement Operations. B. Undersheriff of Administrative Operations. C. Undersheriff of Community Outreach Operations. D. Field Operations Bureau Commander. E. Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Bureau Commander. F. Joint Operations Bureau Commander. G. Operational Logistics Bureau Commander. H. Strategic Initiatives Bureau Commander. I. Community Engagement Bureau Commander. III. COMMAND PROTOCOL: Supervisors will follow the principle of unity of command in that each member will be accountable to only one supervisor at a given time. Only one person will be in direct command of each organizational component. [CFA 1.02] 2  G.O. 12.1 A. Incident Command: An incident will be under the command and control of the division best suited to carry out the ultimate goal of the operation or incident. Only one person will be in complete command of each situation. Individual members or units assisting will operate within the procedures established in General Order 46.3, Incident Command System. B. Assuming Command – Senior Rank: 1. To take full command of any situation, the member of senior rank must identify himself/herself to the member then in charge and announce the intention to assume command. 2. Assuming command will be undertaken only when a situation appears to be beyond the control of the member in charge, or if ordered to assume command by another member of senior rank. C. Assuming Command – Junior Rank: 1. Any member of junior rank may take command of a situation by identifying himself/herself to the member then in charge and announce the intention to assume command. 2. A junior rank member will assume command only when the member in command is unable to perform the duties due to some physical or mental condition. 3. The junior member will document the incident in memorandum form, and, as soon as possible, submit the memorandum through the chain of command to the appropriate commander. D. Command by Non-Supervisory Members: Whenever more than one member is present at an incident scene and a supervisor is not present; the member originally dispatched or as- signed will be in charge unless specifically relieved. IV. CHAIN OF COMMAND: The chain of command is a formal management structure where direction and communication is passed downward and upward. Its purpose is to assure formal communications are disseminated throughout all levels of the organization and therefore must be rigorously followed. A. Breaking the Chain of Command: Breaking the chain of command is permitted only in certain situations such as: 1. When a subordinate has probable cause to believe that a supervisor is involved in unlawful conduct or has violated agency general orders, bureau directives, and division procedures. 2. When a subordinate reasonably believes that he or she has been given an unlawful order. B. Circumventing the Chain of Command: Under normal circumstances, the subordinate must request permission from his or her immediate supervisor to circumvent the chain of command. Upon receipt of a written or oral request of a subordinate, the immediate supervisor will accept the request and pass it along to the next level of command for disposition. 3  G.O. 12.1 C. Informal Communication: Informal communication is encouraged among all members to facilitate agency progress and growth. Members will not use informal communications to undermine supervisory authority. D. Notification of High Liability Incidents: Generally, it is the responsibility of the bureau commanders to notify the Sheriff via the chain of command and the Undersheriffs of incidents where there may be a question as to the agency’s liability or those that may result in heightened community interest. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, incidents resulting in death or serious injury to persons, or significant loss of property. V. OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS: Members will promptly obey all lawful orders issued by a superior or other competent authority. This includes orders relayed from a superior by a member of the same or lesser rank. [CFA 2.03] A. Unlawful Orders: No member will obey an order that is contrary to law. [CFA 2.04] 1. No member will be disciplined for refusing to obey an unlawful order. 2. A member who receives such an unlawful order will report the circumstances in writing to the appropriate commander, as soon as possible. B. Conflicting Orders: A subordinate given a lawful order that conflicts with a previous order will advise the person issuing the second order of this fact. Responsibility for countermanding the original order then rests with the person issuing the second order. If then so directed, the subordinate will obey the second order. The member will not be held accountable for disobeying the original order. [CFA 2.04] C. Unjust or Improper Orders: Members receiving lawful orders that they feel are unjust or contrary to agency directives will first obey the order to the best of their ability, then report the circumstances in writing, via chain of command, to the appropriate commander. D. Unclear Orders: Members in doubt as to the nature, meaning, or details of a lawful order will seek clarification from the person issuing the order. VI. STAFF MEETINGS: Participatory meetings of Sheriff’s Office supervisors will be held at all levels within the agency on a regular basis. A. Minutes of the proceedings may be prepared to include policy determinations, solutions to operational problems, and group decisions that become a matter of record. B. The Sheriff meets with command and executive staff on a regular basis to discuss policy, operational decisions, or other important matters. After the meeting, commanders will disseminate appropriate information to their supervisory staff. C. Line supervisors will ensure that this information becomes a part of the daily operational briefing with their members. VII. INTERACTION MEETINGS: Command staff will conduct periodic meetings with members from each functional unit under their command. The purpose of the meetings will be 4  G.O. 12.1 to promote open communication, encourage innovative ideas, and the discussion of member concerns. VIII. GENERAL: Based on workload assessments and manpower requirements, the below listed specialized assignments may not necessarily be permanently staffed, and will be reviewed as indicated: A. Crisis Management Team Negotiator: Negotiates a resolution or surrender including, but not limited to, barricaded subjects, hostage situations, or suicide attempts. B. School Resource Officer: Assigned to specific elementary, middle or high schools for educational and crime prevention purposes. C. Highway Interdiction Team (HIT): Performs selective traffic enforcement, specialized driving under influence enforcement, and operates and maintains intoxilyzer equipment. D. Underwater Recovery Team: Provides underwater crime scene investigation assistance, drowning victim recovery, rescue operations, and vehicle, property and evidence recovery. E. Mounted Unit: Provides horse-mounted law enforcement support services for crowd control, searches for missing and wanted persons, parades, and other functions as directed by the Sheriff. IX. ANNUAL REVIEW: Each specialized assignment will be reviewed annually by the appropriate commander. This written report will include: A. A listing of specialized assignment; B. A statement of purpose for each specialized assignment; and C. An evaluation of the initial problem or condition that required the implementation of the specialized assignment. X. GLOSSARY: ACTING – Temporarily serving in a position, to which a member is assigned by competent authority. All the authority, responsibilities, and duties of the position to which a member is assigned an acting capacity will then be acquired by the member for the duration of the assignment. AUTHORITY – The right to command and enforce obedience, the right to act officially. CHAIN OF COMMAND – The unbroken line of authority extending from the Sheriff through a single subordinate at each level of authority, to the level of execution and return. COMMAND STAFF – The Sheriff, Undersheriffs, bureau commanders, division commanders, or other persons as directed by the Sheriff. EXECUTIVE STAFF - Appointees and employees who have attained the rank of Captain or 5  G.O. 12.1 above, bureau commanders, directors, the Sheriffs legal counsel, the Sheriffs executive and administrative assistants, the Sheriffs executive secretary, and any other positions which may be designated by the Sheriff. All persons holding positions on the Sheriffs executive staff shall be selected by and serve in that position exclusively at the pleasure of the Sheriff without recourse except as specifically provided in Pasco County Career Service article. INFORMAL COMMUNICATION - Communication that is casual in nature. (It will not be used to circumvent or undermine supervisory authority.) INTERACTION MEETING - A meeting of non-supervisory representatives from functional units and command staff members. SPECIALIZED ASSIGNMENT - An assignment characterized by increased levels of responsibility and specialized training. UNITY OF COMMAND - The concept that each individual in the organization has only one immediate supervisor. [CFA 1.02] INDEXING: CHAIN OF COMMAND COMMAND AND CONTROL COMMAND AUTHORITY STAFF MEETINGS SPECIALIZED ASSIGNMENTS SUPERVISION DRAFTED: NS / August 20, 2024 I Filed: 12.1 Command and Control APPROVED: CHRIS NOCCO, SHERIFF PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA 6