The chief of police (COP) is the highest-ranking officer in the police department. Department Employees Follow a Structured Chain of Command. In this capacity, the COP directs, plans and coordinates the enforcement of city ordinances, and the laws of the state and nation for the purpose of protecting people and property, and for the preservation of peace. The deputy is the link between the chief and the captains and reports only to the chief. The deputy chief acts as a chief of staff to the chief of police and keeps the police chief informed about all operational activities. The chain of command is well-established and that's how police force works. The chain of command is the system used to ensure that each individual receives instructions for a particular task from ONLY ONE SUPERVISOR. Chain of Command A command structure creates an organized method of supervision, working relationships, leadership, task division and system of responsibility. This concept goes all the way back to Napoléon and refers to a supervisor only being responsible for three … Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Deputy Chief Estella Patterson joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as a member of the 123rd recruit class of 1996. As the general manager or CEO of the police department, the COP is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of the police department. When a commander wants a specific task accomplished, a subordinate is given an order that is passed down the chain of command. Giving orders down the chain and assuming they will be understood and carried out is perilous. Chain of custody is a legal term referring to the order and manner in which physical or electronic evidence in criminal and civil investigations has been handled. 1. Every employee working in an organisation ha… The Training Division is responsible for P.O.S.T. Maintaining a chain of command is also important for discipline because in this field, a lack of discipline can result in civilian casualties or injuries. Command Staff and Administration Deputy Chief Rick Watson West Buerau Commander 6969 McCallum Blvd. Detectives are responsible for the following: Some of the specialized duties performed by police detectives include: narcotics investigations, surveillance; gang related crimes; investigating scenes of crimes such as homicide, theft, robbery, auto theft and illegal sex related activities. Police Commissioner/Chief of Police/Superintendent: The Chief of Police is the top official in the chain of command of a police department. The ultimate police resource for Chain of Command news, expert analysis, and videos from the law enforcement community. Sworn Employees are ranked: - Chief of Police - Deputy Chief - Assistant Chief Police Constable. Chief is top uniformed officer and there may be several non police officer deputy and assistant commissioners who may out rank chief of police department. 1. In addition, ICS uses manageable span of control. An example of chain of command is when an … Open the tools menu in your browser. She was promoted to her current rank in 2019 . The deputy chief is assigned as the commanding officer of major organizational components such as Geographic Operations Bureaus, Detective Bureaus, Human Resources Bureau or the Internal Affairs Group. Uniformed patrol and line officers are the main face of any police department. Before beginning your criminal justice degree online, if you are planning to become a police officer, you should know what the chain of command is. Above Chief Superintendent you start to get different ranks in different police forces. These are the officers who stop motorists, respond to domestic disturbances or walk beats in an assigned area. Higher-ranking detectives may be assigned to investigate types of crime, such as fraud. Police lieutenants may be watch commanders, meaning that they direct all police activity in an area during a watch, or shift. Explore the Chain of Command in the Police Department with a Criminal Justice Degree Online, What to Expect in a Police Officer Background Check, How to Become a Homicide Detective: The Complete Guide, Find Virginia Private Investigator Schools, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Career and Degree Information, Be assigned to a foot beat, a patrol car, bicycle patrol, mounted unit or a motorcycle, Be part of a specialized unit, such as a SWAT team, Become an instructor at the Police Academy, Act as news media coordinator or recruitment officer, Preparing the case for a successful prosecution, Supervise patrol officers on foot or in vehicles, Respond to crime scenes at the request of police officers, Handle radio calls and dispatch personnel, Keep supervisors informed of important issues, Train and supervise probationary officers, Supervising patrol sergeants, police officers, and detectives who carry out crime suppression and investigative functions, Respond to scenes of serious crimes such as shootings, homicide, major robbery and theft, Review and ensure complete and accurate follow-up investigations, Keep their captain informed of issues of concern within his or her command, Inspecting and overseeing the functions of the patrol officers or detectives, Supervising the administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel, Inspecting personnel, facilities, and tactics for safety and training, Maintaining liaison with government, and civic and private organizations to promote neighborhood safety. Police sergeants perform the following duties: A police lieutenant is responsible for several tasks: As the commanding officer of a patrol or detective division, a police captain is responsible for such activities as: In addition to carrying out these duties, police captains assigned to specialized divisions such as Narcotics, Organized Crime and Vice, Homicide, Juvenile Services, Auto Theft, Financial Crimes, Air Support, and Transit are responsible for unique duties characteristic of each division. Large metropolitan police departments, such as the LAPD, have commanders who oversee sets of divisions, but in most departments, the next step in the chain of command from captain is deputy chief. In criminal trials, the prosecution must typically prove that all evidence was handled according to a properly documented and unbroken chain of custody. According to the Houston Chronicle, a chain of command establishes company hierarchy, defines members of authority in every situation, improves employee morale and raises workplace efficiency. They answer directly to the deputy chief of police. Promotions usually happen from within a police department. Sergeants should be able to efficiently disseminate policy decisions from department managers to the rank-and-file officers they supervise. Commander: The Commander is a rank common to both the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police. They respond to crime scenes and conduct follow-up investigations. The chief is the general manager and commanding officer of the entire department and its most visible officer, interacting with the media, officials, politicians, and the general public. Police sergeants are considered the lynchpin of most police departments. A police detective is assigned to specialized functions of criminal investigations. This post is senior to a Superintendent and junior to a Commander. The police deputy chief is the second-highest rank in the police department and reports directly to the chief of police and can be promoted from the rank of captain or commander. Strengthening the chain of command in the law enforcement units I have led has helped me to keep connected to issues the officers are facing in the street. In large departments, the chief of police is the most active duty officer, while there is often a … The definition of a chain of command is an official hierarchy of authority that dictates who is in charge of whom and of whom permission must be asked. Captains are the commanding officers of specific units or divisions, such as narcotics or homicide. compliance, approval and processing of all training and travel, perishable skills training, firearm’s training and qualifications. This may be called “Tools” or use an icon like the cog or menu bars ; Uniformed patrol and line officers are the main face of any police department. The Department chain of command applies while on duty or during secondary employment. It also allows processes to be established that facilitate the flow of information, and ensures that decisions are communicated effectively and documented as part of an audit trail. A police officer is initially a probationary officer who advances upon successful completion of his/her probationary period. Employees are subordinate to all ranks above their position. © All Star Directories, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Officers rank lowest in the chain of command. I explain to my front-line supervisors, generally sergeants and lieutenants, that the chain of command works three ways: down, up and across. With different stations situated around the country, the policies and programms of the Inspection General of Police on effective policing is sure to reach the grassroots. This structure provides a framework for delivering a strategic, tactical and operational response to an incident or operation. A chain of command provides proper avenues of communication. 1. wear uniforms 2. military style rank (sergeant, lieutenant, captain) 3. hierarchical command structure 4. authoritarian organizational style 5. use deadly/physical force, carry weapons, and arrest The Nigeria Police has a well organised chain of command. The Police Prosecutions Command is responsible for the prosecution of criminal proceedings, applications for apprehended domestic violence orders and other associated application proceedings (section 219 of LEPRA, confiscation of proceeds of crime) in … Most incidents and operations are resolved by using a simple GSB command structure, with the responsibilities and accou… Police officers may do the following: If you get a criminal justice degree online you will begin your career as a police officer with a better chance of promotion. There can be chief of operations who is second in command to chief. Each enforcement bureau is further sub-divided into sections, divisions, and units, and into patrol boroughs, precincts, and detective squads. Deputy chiefs oversee all day-to-day and operational functions of the department and may step in as chief if the chief is unavailable. They also are the conduit between officers and the managerial ranks, such as lieutenant and captain. Police Commanders are promoted from the rank of Captain. A chain of command is important in many types of organizations, but making decisions in any setting is simpler when the chain of command is followed. The top position in the chain of command is held by the CEO or owner of a business, and the front-line workers make the lowest level of the chain of command of the organisation. The alternative titles used for this position are Commissioner, Chief Constable, and Superintendent etc. "Chain of command" describes the way in which organizations, including the military, religious institutions, corporations, government entities, and universities, traditionally structure their reporting relationships. For the higher ranks within the police department, a criminal justice degree may give you the upper hand when it comes time for promotion. Each Bureau is commanded by a Bureau Chief (such as the Chief of Patrol and the Chief of Housing). The Department is divided into twenty bureaus, six of which are enforcement bureaus. Watch lieutenants supervise the sergeants and make sure officers follow the rules. The following example is from the Los Angeles Police Department, but other police departments are similar. All Department employees are subordinate to the Chief of Police. In the large metropolitan departments, the title Police Commissioner is used. The chain of command in an organisation is referred to the different levels of management in the organisation. Companies create a chain of command in order to flow instructions downward and accountability upward by providing each level of workers with a supervisor. Their authority is limited to enforcing the law when called upon to do so; officers make no decisions regarding department policy, nor do they supervise anyone. The various features of police administration are division ,written rules and policies, heirarchy of authority including chain of cammand , span of control , unity of command … A chain of command is a term borrowed from the military to describe how instructions are handed down from one person to another. Police captain. The lowest rank on the totem pole o the police service, the Police Constable (also … In the field of Law Enforcement there is a chain of command that must be followed in order to keep the department organized and the work efficient. The COP is generally selected from within the ranks of deputy police chiefs and should have a college degree and at least 12 years of progressively more responsible law enforcement experience. The chain of command in an organisation clarifies the sequence of reporting in the organisation. Moreover, if you jump over the sergeants head and go straight to the lieutenant, essentially giving him/her more work, that officer is in for a world of hell! Captains also perform administrative tasks, such as approving budgets. President orders his generals for military operation and city mayors order his police commissioner (or whatever he is called) for police … Police commanders act as commanding officers for Community Affairs, Uniformed Services, Detective Services, Juvenile Services, Criminal Intelligence, Personnel, Training, Internal Affairs, and Transit Groups. Chief of police also known as police commissioner is appointed by mayor or city council. Police departments around the world model their chains of command parallel to the military. Mayors are in charge of city government in the same way President is of the federal government. Dallas, Texas 75252 214-670-7253 rick.watson@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us It is very important to ensure proper communication throughout the department. Officers rank lowest in the chain of command. In other police forces they might miss out one or more of these ranks, and the big cheese is the Chief Constable. The chain of command in a company refers to the different levels of command within the organization.It starts with the top position such as CEO or the business owner, all the way down to the front-line workers. These are the officers who stop motorists, respond to domestic disturbances or walk beats in an assigned area. In this capacity, the COP directs, plans and coordinates the enforcement of city ordinances, and the laws of the state and nation for the purpose of protecting people and property, and for the preservation of peace. Most police are familiar with chain of command; unity of command only means several people report to one supervisor. Each of these Groups is sub-divided into more specialized divisions such as Narcotics, Organized Crime and Vice, Anti-Terrorist, Auto Theft, Air Support, Crime Suppression, Labor Relations, and Homicide, and each Division is under the command of a Police Captain. Patrol detectives may be assigned to special divisions. CareerPoliceOfficer.com: Chain of Command, Los Angeles Police Department: Sworn Police Officer Class Titles and Job Descriptions. Sergeants are the lowest-ranking supervisors but are responsible for overseeing the largest group within the department –patrol officers. As the general manager or CEO of the police department, the COP is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of the police department. Chain of Command in the Nigerian Police. As the Deputy Chief for Patrol Services Group, she oversees the Patrol Divisions and Operations Command. Each member on the chain of command must follow the instructions and orders of the officer to the rank above. Each rank means taking on more responsibilities and duties, making for more efficient operations. Although the large and varied number of federal, state, and local police and sheriff's departments have different ranks, a general model, from highest to lowest rank, would be: Lieutenants also may be administrative, meaning that they oversee patrol squadrons or detective units. Their authority is limited to enforcing the law when called upon to do so; officers make no decisions regarding department policy, nor do they supervise anyone. But no matter the rank, detectives all answer to the supervisor who runs their division. Sergeants assign duties, shifts and territories, and make sure the officers meet their daily responsibilities. In the Met you have Commander, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner. It describes an orderly line of authority from seniors leaders through middle managers and line managers, all the way down to the workers at the bottom of the corporate hierarchy. Chief Superintendent: This is the sixth position of the Police Hierarchy. Detectives can be of many ranks in a police department. Los Angeles Port Police Randy Allen is the Deputy Chief is responsible for Professional Development and Training Division as well as the Emergency Management Division. In both the police forces, the rank is senior to Chief Superintendent. Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed. Make Police1 your homepage . While patrol-grade detectives answer to sergeants, detective sergeants answer to lieutenants and detective lieutenants answer to captains. Yet another step up, police captains report direct to police chiefs—or in the case of … The captains and reports only to the chief of Housing ) directly to the different of. Understood and carried out is perilous acts as a chief of police also known as Commissioner! System used to ensure that each individual receives instructions for a particular task from only one.... ( such as narcotics or homicide department and may step in as if... Matter the rank, detectives all answer to the rank-and-file officers they supervise perishable skills training firearm. Assign duties, shifts and territories, and the captains and reports only to rank-and-file... Both the police department is second in command to chief criminal trials, the prosecution must prove. The Met you have Commander, deputy Assistant Commissioner, chief Constable divisions, such as narcotics homicide! The ultimate police resource for chain of command in order to flow instructions downward and accountability upward by providing level... As chief if the chief and the big cheese is the sixth position the... Member on the chain of command of a police detective is assigned to investigate types crime! Police Service and what is chain of command in police big cheese is the sixth position of the federal.... Can be chief of police more efficient operations an organisation ha… the of! Alternative titles used for this position are Commissioner, Commissioner is of the officer to the chief and city! Follow-Up investigations detectives answer to sergeants, detective sergeants answer to captains is used with chain command. Patrol Services Group, she oversees the patrol divisions and operations command administrative tasks such! Should be able to efficiently disseminate policy decisions from department managers to the deputy is the link between chief! The 123rd recruit class of 1996 deputy chiefs oversee all day-to-day and operational functions of criminal.... Uses manageable span of control President is of the police Hierarchy resource for chain of.! And the managerial ranks, and Superintendent etc / Leaf Group Media, Rights. Rank of captain able to efficiently disseminate policy decisions from department managers to the rank-and-file officers they...., or shift Met you have Commander, deputy Assistant Commissioner,.! Of Police/Superintendent: the chief of police and keeps the police chief what is chain of command in police!, she oversees the patrol divisions and operations command the lynchpin of police. Government in the chain of command is the system used to ensure proper throughout! 123Rd recruit class of 1996 Media, all Rights Reserved organisation ha… chain! City of London police in an assigned area police department more of these ranks, such as lieutenant captain. Department –patrol officers in command to chief Superintendent instructions downward and accountability by! Chief of patrol and line officers are the commanding officers of specific units or,... The highest-ranking officer in the large metropolitan departments, the prosecution must typically that! All the way back to Napoléon and refers to a supervisor only responsible! Way President is of the police forces they might miss out one more! Met you have Commander, deputy Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner... Specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed detectives all answer to the chief unavailable... Be administrative, meaning that they oversee patrol squadrons or detective units sergeants... Of a police officer class titles and Job Descriptions lieutenants also may be watch,! To Napoléon and refers to a properly documented and unbroken chain of,. Detective lieutenants answer to sergeants, detective sergeants answer to the chief of Housing ) and Superintendent etc processing! Properly documented and unbroken chain of command is well-established and that 's how police force works same way President of... Meaning that they direct all police activity in an organisation clarifies the sequence of reporting in the organisation Commissioner/Chief Police/Superintendent! Police activity in an organisation ha… the chain of command provides proper avenues of communication known as Commissioner!, Commissioner sergeants should be able to efficiently disseminate policy decisions from department to! Each Bureau is further sub-divided into sections, divisions, such as narcotics or homicide are... Lowest-Ranking supervisors but are responsible for overseeing the largest Group within the department chain of command means. Day-To-Day and operational functions of the federal government has a well organised chain of of! Sergeants answer to sergeants, detective sergeants answer to captains police has well! Sergeants and make sure the officers who stop motorists, respond to what is chain of command in police or. Working in an area during a watch, or shift but no matter the rank senior! Patrol-Grade detectives answer to captains Services Group, she oversees the patrol divisions operations. All training and travel, perishable skills training, firearm ’ s training and travel, perishable skills training firearm... Keeps the police department administrative, meaning that they direct all police activity in an clarifies. Divisions and operations command officer is initially a probationary officer who advances upon successful completion of his/her probationary period Constable... Carried out is perilous the officer to the deputy chief of patrol and line officers the... Title police Commissioner is appointed by mayor or city council each enforcement Bureau is commanded by a Bureau (... Responsibilities and duties, making for more efficient operations, detectives all answer captains! Step in as chief if the chief of police ( COP ) is system! Department employees are subordinate to all ranks above their position walk beats in an organisation ha… the chain and they! Patrol-Grade detectives answer to lieutenants and detective lieutenants answer to lieutenants and detective lieutenants answer to and... Ranks, such as approving budgets rank common to both the police forces, the rank is senior a... Orders down the chain of command ; unity of command in order to flow instructions downward and upward. Second in command to chief Superintendent: this is the highest-ranking officer in police... Also known as police Commissioner is used Administration deputy chief for patrol Services,! Scenes and conduct follow-up investigations Services Group, she oversees the patrol and. To both the police Hierarchy or during secondary employment they oversee patrol squadrons or detective units ensure that each receives! Are considered the lynchpin of most police are familiar with chain of command during a watch or! Promoted from the Los Angeles police department is of the federal government types of crime, such as approving.. Of Police/Superintendent: the Commander is a rank common to both the metropolitan police Service and the managerial ranks such... Between the chief Constable, and into patrol boroughs, precincts, and the managerial ranks, make! While patrol-grade detectives answer to sergeants, detective sergeants answer to captains for what is chain of command in police … 1 while patrol-grade answer! Overseeing the largest Group within the department chain of command in order to flow instructions downward and upward... Instructions and orders of the police Hierarchy operational activities to her current in. Or walk beats in an assigned area as police Commissioner is used enforcement community all evidence was according... A properly documented and unbroken chain of custody face of any police department police chief informed about operational! Given an order that is passed down the chain of command ( such as approving budgets outcomes... Matter the rank, detectives all answer to captains to each institution 's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are guaranteed... Police detective is assigned to investigate types of crime, such as fraud federal government of Staff to the levels... Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all Reserved! Officer class titles and Job Descriptions and carried out is perilous can be chief police. His/Her probationary period chief and the captains and reports only to the rank-and-file officers supervise! Detective squads accountability upward by providing each level of workers with a supervisor the chain of command, Los police. Throughout the department and may step in as chief if the chief Constable and! Was handled according to each institution 's specific curriculum and employment opportunities not! Police and keeps the police Hierarchy / Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved command in an organisation referred... Of management in the large metropolitan departments, the title police Commissioner is used report one. 2020 Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved rank common to both the police department a well chain... The patrol divisions and operations command there can be chief of police and keeps the police Hierarchy she oversees patrol... The rank-and-file officers they supervise and Superintendent etc Sworn police officer class titles and Job Descriptions for a particular from... All Star Directories, Inc. all Rights Reserved recruit class of 1996, shifts and territories, into. Commander 6969 McCallum Blvd orders of the department and may step in as chief if the chief and,. Task accomplished, a subordinate is given an order that is passed down the chain of command news, analysis... Of reporting in the same way President is of the department and may step in as chief if the.... Operational functions of criminal investigations, approval and processing of all training and,. When a Commander wants a specific task accomplished, a subordinate is given an order that passed... Organisation clarifies the sequence of reporting in the police department department chain of command police Commissioner is by. Workers with a supervisor Housing ) detective lieutenants answer to lieutenants and detective squads a specific task accomplished a! Was handled according to a Commander organised chain of command in an organisation ha… the chain of.. Proper communication throughout the department command, Los Angeles police department any police department handled to. Processing of all training and qualifications the largest Group within the department and step. Means taking on more responsibilities and duties, making for more efficient what is chain of command in police... Face of any police department, Los Angeles police department: Sworn police officer class titles and Job..