Since emergency situations occur without warning, and their duration is often brief, officers must frequently make critical decisions without benefit of on-the-scene direction. In most police operations we will use principles of unified command. Unified command gives coherence to the police task and directs the energies of the department into an organized effort. Proper supervision is essential to maintain a professional level of competence in law enforcement operations.
Supervision in Field Operations:
The department is an organization with an assignment of responsibility and accountability throughout the rank structure. To the degree that a senior officer is responsible and accountable for the performance of junior officers, s/he must be granted commensurate authority in order to properly discharge supervisory responsibility. Field supervision begins with the senior officer of the department, and it is upon them that the primary burden of training and supervising less experienced officers is placed. A field sergeant is the first level of full-time supervision, and it is a primary responsibility to guide, train, direct and motivate those over whom s/he has control.
Command Responsibility at Police Situations:
Command of department resources at a police situation rests with the highest ranking officer or the assigned designated officer. Such person has the authority to direct the operation and is responsible for its outcome. A senior command officer may make suggestions. However, s/he may not actively direct the operation unless s/he properly relieves the subordinate of command by so informing the highest ranking officer that s/he has been relieved of the assignment. Restoration of active command may be re-delegated by informing a subordinate s/he is again in command. A senior officer at an emergency scene who does not choose to take command may be held accountable for unfavorable developments which s/he could have prevented by assuming control.
Inter-Unit Field Situation:
In the event of particular units requesting assistance of another unit the requesting unit supervisors shall take command (i.e., burglary requesting the assistance of special investigations unit personnel -- burglary supervisors shall be in command).
Inter-Division Field Situations:
In the event of units of different divisions working on a field situation, the requesting unit shall maintain supervisory responsibility, except in situations where the special weapons and tactics (S.W.A.T.) team, bomb squad, or the forensic services unit has been summoned. In those circumstances the commands above shall assume supervisory responsibility for their portion of the field situation. Once the need for above commands is complete, the requesting unit shall resume supervisory responsibility.
Crime Scene Investigations:
In the event an investigator is called to a crime scene, the investigator will assume responsibility for the scene and associated activities. S/he may delegate tasks as s/he sees fit.
Revised May 16, 2013