Seattle Police Manual

1.030 – Chain of Command

Effective Date: 3/2/2011

I. Supervision in Field Situations

A. In all field situations where more than two (2) officers are present, the senior officer of the first unit at the scene shall be in charge.

B. The senior officer of the first unit at the scene shall remain in charge until officially relieved.

C. The mere presence of a ranking or senior officer or sergeant at a scene shall not indicate their assumption of command. Such persons shall remain in an advisory or evaluation capacity unless command is specifically assumed.

D. If the situation warrants, a sergeant should be called to the scene. Upon arrival, the sergeant should officially assume command.

E. In common field situations, which are to be handled by a squad or less, command normally need not go higher than a sergeant. The sergeant may at any time request the assistance of a ranking officer.

F. When a senior officer is at a scene and begins to issue orders directing the activities of employees assigned to the scene, that senior officer shall be deemed to have assumed command.

G. Persons in command, in all situations and of all ranks, are guided by the policy of this Department as stated in Seattle Police Manual Section 5.001 - Standards & Duties.

II. Supervision Philosophy

A. Proper supervision is essential to maintain a professional level of competence in law enforcement operations; a fundamental component of proper supervision is the “chain of command”. At its most basic level, the chain of command requires that each employee reports, and is accountable, to only one direct supervisor.

B. Supervision in its broadest sense consists of three main tasks: organize, delegate, and oversee.

1. To “organize” means planning the work of the Department and of the personnel in an orderly manner.

2. To “delegate” means giving someone else the responsibility and authority to do something. The supervisor confers upon a subordinate officer the same authority and responsibility that the supervisor possesses to accomplish the specific task. The supervisor remains responsible for the completion of the delegated task.

3. To “oversee” means that the supervisor ensures that the work that has been organized and delegated is satisfactorily completed.

C. A sergeant is the first level of supervision and their primary responsibility is to guide, direct, and motivate subordinate employees. Supervisors are expected to be familiar with the mechanics of the learning process and use them for training employees.

D. Sergeants and above have the responsibility not only to train subordinates to perform assigned duties, but to familiarize these subordinates with their supervisory jobs, in order to prepare them for additional responsibilities should the need arise.

E. A commanding officer has responsibility and accountability for every aspect of their command. Supervisors have the authority to coordinate and direct assigned personnel and other allocated resources in achieving organizational objectives. In doing so, a supervisor must perform the full range of administrative functions relying upon policy, direction, training, and personal initiative as a guide for themselves and their command in achieving the highest level of performance possible.

F. All Sergeants and above are fully responsible and accountable for the acts or omissions of their subordinates. Any failure on the part of a subordinate may be assumed to be a failure in supervision or command.

III. Communication and Confidentiality

A. Personnel Information

1. All employees must have a telephone in their residence. A cell phone is acceptable in lieu of a landline. Employees shall ensure that their current residential address and telephone number is furnished to their Bureau Chief via the PEDS system and to Human Resources. A post office box may be given as a mailing address only, but is not acceptable in lieu of a current residential address.