Accountability:
Supervisors are accountable for the performance of employees under their immediate control.
Delegation of Duties:
A supervisor may delegate to subordinates appropriate portions of responsibilities, together with equivalent authority; but may not relinquish overall responsibility for results or any portion of accountability.
Direction of Subordinates:
A supervisor shall allocate resources and direction of subordinates necessary to the accomplishment of department objectives. S/he shall analyze and evaluate the personality, temperament traits, and capabilities of each subordinate in order to realize from every employee the maximum degree of service commensurate with abilities and limitations.
Training of Subordinates:
Supervisors shall mentor and coach employees and help facilitate training needs of their employees. Training shall be considered the process of aiding employees to gain effectiveness in their present or future assignments through the development of appropriate habits of thought, action, skill, knowledge, and attitude. Supervisors shall maintain an appropriate, professional, relationship with all subordinates.
Guidance of Subordinates:
A supervisor shall take a personal interest in the welfare and problems of subordinates and shall be available to employees seeking guidance and counseling. S/he shall give appropriate advice and personal instructions to immediate subordinates for the development of current duties, administrative, investigative and supervisory skills.
Performance Evaluation:
A supervisor shall be responsible for the appraisal and analysis of the work and accomplishment of subordinates. Such evaluation shall be based on continuous observation and inspection and shall consider personal traits as well as duty requirements.
Supervisory Reports:
Supervisory reports shall be made in a prompt and effective manner. All pertinent facts shall be incorporated, and the welfare of the department shall be of primary consideration. Supervisors shall reflect the feeling of subordinates to supervisors by permitting information to flow up, as well as down, the chain of command.
Techniques of Supervision:
A supervisor must frequently allocate resources and provide directives and orders to ensure that proper police operations are conducted. This must be done firmly with expeditious cooperation to critical police situations. A supervisor shall make use of a variety of supervisory techniques such as the following to promote satisfactory supervisor-subordinate relationships:
- Inspiration: The ideals and objectives of public service in the police field shall be developed, exemplified and modeled by the conduct and actions of supervisors. The department goals and objectives should be paramount for guidance.
- Explanation: Department policies and objectives shall be presented to employees. Supervisors shall adopt an attitude of guiding employees by sound logic and clear thinking, rather than by arbitrary orders and commands and shall strive for willing response and cooperation from subordinates.
- Encouragement: Supervisors shall be aware that recognition of good work is an indispensable need in the employees relationship with the department and shall make certain that meritorious acts and accomplishments are rewarded, either by personal encouragement and praise, or by formal commendation.
Revised July 1, 2011