Chain of Command:
The chief of police must necessarily limit the number of persons who report to her/him. Therefore, to ensure unity of command, clearly defined lines of authority must be drawn so that there is an existence structural relationship between each employee and the chief of police. Each employee must be aware of her/his relative position in the organization, to whom s/he is immediately responsible, and those persons who are accountable to her/him. Employees should strive at all times to operate within the chain of command and to keep their supervisors informed as to their activities. The chief of police is available by appointment to any member of the department.
Span of Control:
To achieve effective direction, coordination and control, the number of employees under the immediate control of a supervisor, except first line supervisors, should not be excessive.
First line supervisors span of control should not normally exceed 12. (See General Order 341.40: District Supervisor -- Sergeant)
During emergencies or other unplanned situations the number of subordinates on a short-term basis, may exceed the recommended staffing level for supervisors.
Unity of Command:
Each organizational component shall be under the direct command of only one supervisor unless authorized by the chief of police.
Each employee will be accountable to only one supervisor at any given time. Each employee will be responsible or accountable to her/his regular immediate supervisor except when working on a special assignment, incident, duty, event or temporarily assigned to another unit within this department. In these cases, the employee will be accountable to the first-line supervisor over that assignment, incident, duty or event.
Revised July 1, 2011