Command Protocol and Order of Precedence Policy

Policy & Procedures                 No. 1.34
                                  Subject:
             Command Protocol and Order of
                Precedence
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                       11/17/2014   11/27/2023
                                                                                 References:

 Review
 Revision   09/03/2016
 Reissued   07/07/2018
 Dates:     02/09/2020
            01/10/2022
            11/20/2020

CALEA STANDARDS
11.2.1   11.3.2
11.3.1   12.1.2
            _____________________________________________________________

Purpose    The Canton Police Department is a paramilitary organization. The Department
              rank structure assigns certain responsibilities to rank and provides for a chain of
           command for direction, control and communications within the agency.

             Since not all ranks are on duty at any given time, an order of precedence has been
               established to allow for communication, direction and responsibility twenty-four
              (24) hours a day.

Policy      The chain of command shall be used in all internal communications and the
               established order of command precedence shall be adhered to. As the liaison, As
               the liaison,

Unity of Command
11.2.1       Each employee is accountable to:
                  -  Only one supervisor at a given time
11.3.2

Authority and Responsibility
11.3.1 A     Employees shall:
                  -   Be delegated authority commensurate with their responsibilities; and

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11.3.1 B     Each employee is accountable:
                  -   For the use of delegated authority

11.3.2        Supervisory personnel and those acting in a supervisory capacity are:
                  -   Accountable for the activities and performance of personnel under their
                immediate control.

Designation of Command during the Absence of the Chief of Police

12.1.2 A      In the event of the absence of the Chief of Police (i.e., incapacitated, off duty, out-
              of-town, on vacation, sick or otherwise unable to command), the Deputy Chief
                shall act in his/her capacity during the absence. The Deputy Chief shall:

                  -  Have the authority to carry out the day-to-day operations of the department
                 and;

                  -  Not have the authority to approve personnel actions such as appointment,
                 promotions, salaries, etc., unless that authority is specifically authorized in the
                   written directive.

12.1.2 B      In emergency situations where the Chief of Police and the Deputy Chief are
               unavailable, the Lieutenant on shift (or just going off shift) will be in charge.

               In the absence of the Chief and the Deputy Chief, such authority shall be
              delegated to the Lieutenant working the shift or just coming off shift.

Common Protocol in Administrative and Routine Situations
12.1.2 D      In normal day-to-day department operations, the following chain of command
              protocol shall be adhered to:

                    Chief of Police
                  Deputy Chief
                     Lieutenant (on shift of just coming off shift)
                     Sergeant
                     Senior Police Officer
                      Police Officer
                     Probationary Police Officer

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Command Protocol in Field Situations
12.1.2 B
                    Chief of Police
                  Deputy Chief
                     Lieutenant (on shift of just coming off shift)
                       Shift Sergeant
                     Senior Police Officer
                      Police Officer
                     Probationary Police Officer

Exceptional Situations
12.1.2 B,C,D
               In those exceptional situations, such as civil disorder and disturbances, hostage
                situations, and other critical incidents, the Incident Commander under ICS
               protocol, as described in the All Hazards Plan, shall assume command. This may
              or may not be the highest-ranking officer on scene, but command protocol shall
             flow from that level.

 12.1.2 C     In situations involving personnel of different functions engaged in a single
              operation (i.e., drug raid, warrant arrest, etc.), when there is more than one
               supervisor/officers involved, the one that initiated the action/operation will be in
              charge.

Seniority List
              Police personnel of the same rank shall rank vis-à-vis each other in order of the
             Department’s seniority list. This list shall be established in the following order:

                  -  The appointment date to the Canton Police Department; and
                  -   For personnel appointed on the same day; the final score received on the civil
                   service exam; or
                  -   For laterally hired personnel appointed on the same day, the final score
                  received on the police eligibility list.

12.1.2 B,C,D  In the absence of contrary orders and subject to the rules and procedures set forth
               herein, the senior police officer of the highest grade that is present on duty, at any
              place or occasion, shall command. In exceptional situations where an officer of
                lesser rank has specialized training or expertise, or is part of a specialized
               function, command may be relinquished to them by the higher-ranking officer.

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