Archived Policy: This policy is outdated and kept only for historical reference.

1-408 - Command Authority- Ranking or Senior Officers

1-408 - Command Authority- Ranking or Senior Officers

  • Summary: Defines the authority of ranking officers at police scenes.
  • Dates Effective: 09-15-2023 to 12-31-2025
  • Revision Type: PRH Implementation
  • View current policy

(A-D)

The ranking on‑duty sworn supervisor at the scene of any police incident shall be in charge and responsible for police activity. In the absence of a supervisor, the senior sworn employee of the first squad to arrive at the incident shall be responsible for police activity until relieved by a supervisor. The ranking investigating employee, upon arrival, shall coordinate the command of the crime scene with the sworn employees at the scene.

Any sworn employee shall assume command if instructed to do so by a supervisor or senior officer. The sworn employee in charge of a scene shall remain at the scene until the incident is under control, or until relieved by another supervisor.

In certain emergency situations such as Operation 100's, large civil disturbances, underwater recovery, incidents involving bombs or hazardous chemicals, or mental health incidents, the specialized unit trained for these emergencies shall be in command at the scene.

If the sworn employee in charge demonstrates an articulable inability to perform the necessary duties, the on‑duty Watch Commander will be notified as soon as practical. The on-duty Watch Commander shall be responsible for assuming or assigning command of the incident and advising the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Patrol of that decision prior to the end of the shift.

Definitions

Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.


Document History:

Title Effective Date Revision Type Download
1-408 - Command Authority- Ranking or Senior Officers 09-15-2023

PRH Implementation

download PDF
1-408 - Command Authority - Ranking or Senior Officers 01-01-2026

PRH Implementation

download PDF

Revision Types and Descriptions

  • New: Policy had been added.
  • Combined: Two or more policies were merged.
  • Definitions Update: A glossary definition was updated.
  • Terms Update: A term, not necessarily tied to the glossary, was updated in the Manual.
  • Edited - Major: Significant content or procedural changes.
  • Edited - Minor: Small edits, clarifications, or formatting changes.
  • Renamed: Policy title changed.
  • Renumbered: Policy number was changed.
  • Split: Single policy was divided into multiple.
  • Eliminated: Policy was removed and is no longer in effect.
  • PRH Implementation: Edits for the Policy and Resource Hub; no content changes.