Oviedo Police Department General Order PDF

OVIEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-12-2021 SUBJECT: APPROVAL: NUMBER: Dale Coleman Chief of Police GO 1-2.0 REFERENCE: Organization and Command AMENDS: None RESCINDS: None I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. PURPOSE DEFINITIONS ORGANIZATION GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIE...

OVIEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-12-2021 SUBJECT: APPROVAL: NUMBER: Dale Coleman Chief of Police GO 1-2.0 REFERENCE: Organization and Command AMENDS: None RESCINDS: None I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. PURPOSE DEFINITIONS ORGANIZATION GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MEMBER ACCOUNTABILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMANDING OFFICERS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISORY MEMBERS ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPALS COMMAND AUTHORITY I. PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to provide guidance to department personnel by defining their role, authority, and responsibilities, as defined by law and the authority of the Oviedo Police Department. This order serves to ensure direction, supervision, and unity of purpose for the entire department. II. DEFINITIONS A. Chief of Police: Appointed by the City Manager after the approval of the City Commission; shall assume command of, exercise leadership over, and direct the operation of the Oviedo Police Department. B. Deputy Chief: In the absence of the Chief of Police, a Deputy Chief shall be considered the Acting Chief of Police. C. Management Staff: All sworn personnel above the rank of Lieutenant and non-sworn managers. Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command III. Page 2 of 8 D. Commanding Officers: Any sworn officer with the rank of Lieutenant or higher or any other member so designated by the Chief of Police. E. Senior Officer: A department member in any given rank with the longer service in that rank. F. Supervisor: Members of the department in the rank of Sergeant or above, or an Assistant Squad Leader acting as the shift supervisor; any other sworn officer or non-sworn member, either temporarily or permanently so designated by the Chief of Police. G. Span of Control: The number of persons reporting to any one supervisor. H. Unity of Command: The concept that at any point in time, each individual in the organization has one, and only one immediate supervisor. I. Chain of Command: Refers to lines of communication going downward or upward within the organizational hierarchy through each successive level of command. J. Delegation of Authority: The division of the tasks of command among the members of the various units. K. Order of Precedence: A system of succession established to ensure that leadership is available when an organization’s Chief Executive Officer is incapacitated, off-duty, out of town, or otherwise unable to act. ORGANIZATION The Oviedo Police Department shall be composed of sworn and non-sworn members, Police Explorer volunteers, and civilian volunteers. Non-sworn service members may include permanent and temporary members. The strength of the department shall not exceed the number of personnel authorized by the City Council. GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command IV. Page 3 of 8 GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES As directed by the City Manager, the Chief of Police shall assume command of and exercise leadership and authority over the operation of the Oviedo Police Department pursuant to the authority granted to his office by the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and the authority granted by the Oviedo City Charter, the City of Oviedo Code of Ordinances, and/or the City Commission. The Chief of Police has the authority and responsibility for the operation, administration, and management of the Oviedo Police Department. Under that authority, the following duties and responsibilities are delegated to all sworn personnel: V. A. Protect the Constitutional Rights of all persons; B. Do everything within the member’s power and authority to prevent criminal behavior from occurring in the City of Oviedo; C. Reduce fear from crime in the City of Oviedo; D. Maintain order within the City of Oviedo; E. Provide effective disaster response to the community; F. Design and implement action to thwart crime inducting or enabling conditions; G. Provide service to the community in a professional manner; H. Strive to create and enable public and department partnerships to prevent and control crime; I. Identify and apprehend violators of the law and threats to the safety and tranquility of the community; J. Provide for safe and efficient flow of traffic through education, engineering, and enforcement; and K. Conduct thorough investigations of crime and other conditions affecting public safety. MEMBER ACCOUNTABILITY All members shall be responsible for adherence to departmental rules, regulations, orders, and written directives. GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command VI. Page 4 of 8 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMANDING OFFICERS Commanding Officers shall be responsible, but not limited in responsibility for the following: A. Efficient performance of duty, punctual attendance, appearance, efficiency, and discipline of all members within their command; B. Supervising the work and reports of members of lesser rank, providing such assistance and guidance as necessary for their proper understanding and performance of duty; C. Explaining written directives, written orders, correspondence, department procedures, etc. to members of their command, and those matters of interest and importance as may be essential to the best interest of the department; D. Receiving, preparing, submitting, and maintaining information on members of their commands, including the prompt and thorough reporting of cases of good conduct, misconduct, nonobservance of any written orders or directives, or improper performance of duty on the part of any member of their command; E. Proper use, care, maintenance, appearance, condition, inspection, and inventory of department property, buildings and grounds, and equipment issued to them and members of their command. They shall not, however, be liable for that property issued to individual members assigned to an organizational unit of the department for which a subordinate member of the department is responsible; F. Prompt reporting, and proper care, custody, and disposition of all confiscated or recovered money and property; G. Cooperation with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, public officials, and the news media; and H. Response to any emergency or occurrence of a serious or unusual nature. They shall also, whenever possible, respond to calls where members of their command are involved in controversy or serious accidents. Commanding officers are then responsible for prompt reporting, through the chain of command, all unusual occurrences or conditions, serious crimes, and incidents taking place within their command areas. GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command VII. Page 5 of 8 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISORY MEMBERS A. Police Deputy Chief: A Police Deputy Chief shall, when so assigned: 1. 2. 3. 4. B. Police Lieutenant: A Police Lieutenant shall, when so assigned: 1. 2. 3. C. Assume command of, exercise leadership over, perform the duties of a supervisor, and direct the operation of any assigned section within the department; Mentor members of lower rank to be able to assume the duties and responsibilities of their office on a temporary or emergency basis; and Perform other related duties as directed by supervisors. Police Sergeant: A Police Sergeant shall, when so assigned: 1. 2. 3. D. Assume command of, exercise leadership over, perform the duties of a supervisor, and direct the operation of any assigned division within the department; Mentor members of lower rank to be able to assume the duties and responsibilities of their office on a temporary or emergency basis; Are responsible for the accuracy and content of written directives which impact their assigned areas of operation; and Perform other related duties as directed by the Chief of Police. Assume command of, exercise leadership over, perform the duties of a supervisor, and direct the operation of any assigned unit within the department; Mentor members of lower rank to be able to assume the duties and responsibilities of their office on a temporary or emergency basis; and Perform other related duties as directed by supervisors. Assistant Squad Leaders (ASLs): An Assistant Squad Leader shall, when so assigned: 1. Assume command of, exercise leadership over, perform the duties of a supervisor; 2. Direct the operation of any assigned unit within the department; and 3. Perform other related duties as directed by supervisors. GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command VIII. Page 6 of 8 ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPALS A. Span of Control: Unless specified otherwise, to achieve effective direction, coordination, and control, the number of members under the immediate control of any supervisor will be no more than ten members that work a regular weekly schedule. B. Unity of Command: In order for members to be aware of what is expected of them and to promote efficiency and responsibility, members are accountable to one and only one immediate supervisor at any given time. C. D. 1. A supervisor shall exercise direct command over subordinates outside of his/her usual command in all situations where the police purpose or reputation would be jeopardized. 2. A supervisor shall not unnecessarily give orders to subordinates who are not assigned to his/her command. Chain of Command: The chain of command will designate the accepted lines of authority as established from top to bottom, through which all department communications will be transmitted. The chain of command must be rigorously followed. Breaking the chain of command is only permitted in certain situations, such as: 1. Whenever a member of the department receives no satisfaction from an immediate supervisor regarding a personal or department related problem. 2. Whenever any subordinate has probable cause to believe that a supervisor is involved in unlawful or immoral conduct. 3. Whenever a subordinate reasonably believes that he/she has been given an unlawful order. 4. Under normal circumstances, the subordinate must request permission from his/her supervisor to move upward on the chain of command. This request may be either in verbal or written form. Delegation of Authority: At every level within the Oviedo Police Department, members have the authority to make decisions necessary for the effective execution of their responsibilities. Members are fully accountable for the use of delegated authority as well as failure to use it. GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command E. Order of Precedence: In the absence of the Chief or in exceptional situations, the order of precedence is as follows (unless otherwise authorized): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. IX. Page 7 of 8 Chief of Police; Deputy Chief by seniority; Lieutenant by seniority; Sergeant by seniority; Assistant Squad Leader by seniority; Officer/Detective (regardless of assignment) by seniority. COMMAND AUTHORITY A. In situations involving personnel of different functions engaged in a single operation, the on-scene supervisor of the component responsible for the operation or emergency situation is in command, unless relieved by a superior officer. B. If a superior officer assumes command of an incident, the superior officer must announce his or her intentions to the person in charge. C. In day-to-day operations, the order of command is as follows: 1. Chief of Police 2. Deputy Chief 3. On-Duty Lieutenant 4. On-Duty Patrol Sergeant D. A member may be designated as an acting supervisor by a commanding officer of higher rank. Acting supervisors serve on the same supervisory level as the supervisor whom they are temporarily replacing. E. A subordinate may relieve a superior from duty when the superior in charge is unable to perform assigned duties as a result of physical or psychological impairment. The subordinate shall identify himself or herself, announce the reason to the supervisor being relieved, and advise all present that he or she has assumed command. The relieving subordinate shall immediately notify the next superior in the chain of command of the person being relieved. F. When more than one officer is present at the scene of an incident without a supervisor being present, the officer originally dispatched or assigned shall be in charge unless specifically relieved by a supervisor. GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command Oviedo Police Department GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command /s/ DHC ____________________________________ DALE COLEMAN CHIEF OF POLICE Page 8 of 8 04-01-2021 __________________ DATE GO 1-2.0 Organization and Command