Policy Text
02.02 .0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to delineate the rank structure of the
Concord Police Department and communicate the general process by which responsibility
of command is passed from one rank to another. In keeping with the principles o f a
hierarchical organizational structure, coworkers shall operate within their established
chain of command unless exigent circumstances dictate otherwise.
02.02 .1 OATH OF OFFICE, CODE OF ETHICS, AND CODE OF CONDUCT
All sworn coworkers , prior to assum ing sworn status, shall take and subsequently abide
by the oath of office to enforce the law and uphold the constitutions of the United States
of America and the State of North Carolina, North Carolina state statutes, and City of
Concord ordinances. Sworn coworkers shall abide by the Code of Ethics and the Concord
Police Department’s Code of Conduct.
02.02.2 RANK STRUCTURE
A. RANK IN POSITION
The relative rank in position of sworn coworkers shall be as designated and their
duties enumerated as follows:
1. Chief of Police
The Chief of Police shall be responsible and accountable for the governance,
leadership, performance, efficiency, and general good conduct of the department.
2. Acting /Interim Chief of Police
a. Designation by the Chief of Police
During a temporary absence of the Chief of Police, in which the Chief of Police
is unavailable or incapable of reporting for duty, the Chief of Police shall
appoint in writing the deputy chief of police or a police major to perform all
the duties of the Chief of Police, except to appoint, promote, or formally
discipline department co -workers . If the Chief of Police is incapacitated the
acting Chief of Police shall be the deputy chief of police or if unavailable, the
senior police major. The person performing such duties shall be known as the
acting Chief of Police. The acting Chief of Police shall carry out the orders of
the Chief of Police, previously given and will not countermand those orders
except in cases of emerg ency.
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
RANK STRUCTURE
GENERAL ORDER: 02.02 CREATED: July 8, 2016 ISSUE DATE: March 12, 2024
CALEA: 1.1.1 , 12.1.2 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 12, 2024
ACTION: Amends general order dated June 11, 2023 .
General Order 02.02 RANK STRUCTURE Page 2 of 3
b. Designation by the City Manager
In the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Chief of Police, an interim Chief
of Police, as determined by the City Manager, shall perform all of the duties of
the Chief of Police and carry the working title of Interim Chief of Police.
3. Deputy Chief of Police
A deputy chief of police shall be responsible and accountable for assisting the Chief
of Police in managing the operation and administration of the department.
4. Police Major
A police major shall be responsible and accountable for the efficient and effective
operation of a department bureau, providing executive management, leadership,
and direction to all divisions, work locations, and units therein.
5. Police Captain
A police captain shall provide management and leadership to coworkers under his
or her command within a district, division, or unit, and shall be responsible for the
efficient and effective delivery of services. Police captains shall be responsible and
accountabl e for the operations and administration of their respective commands
and shall implement policies and procedures as directed by the Chief of Police.
6. Police Lieutenant
A police lieutenant shall provide supervision, leadership, and guidance to
coworkers under his or her command within a division, or unit, and shall be
responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of services. Police lieutenants
shall be responsible and accountable for the operations and administration of their
respective commands and shall implement policies and procedures as directed by
the Chief of Police.
7. Police Sergeant
A police sergeant shall be responsible and accountable for the supervision,
discipline, training, and development of coworkers under his or her authority.
Unless otherwise assigned by the Chief of Police, police sergeants shall provide
frontline supervision, leadership, and guidance in operational and administrative
functions, and shall ensure that the strategies and directives o f their commanding
officers are translated accurately and faithfully to the coworkers under their
authority.
8. Master Police Officer
A master police officer shall provide guidance to sworn coworkers within their
assigned team. A master police officer may be responsible for assisting a police
sergeant in gathering details for administrative reports (with the exception of
internal investigations) , conducting roll call , managing critical incidents,
planning/managing spe cial events, conducting equipment and/or vehicle
inspections, and other responsibilities as directed by the Chief of Police.
General Order 02.02 RANK STRUCTURE Page 3 of 3
During the temporary absence of a sergeant, the senior on -duty master police
officer , within the sergeant’s team, shall assume the role of the sergeant. This
role is limited to the officers and the geographical area in which the master police
officer is assigned. Master police officers shall ensure that the strategies and
directives of their commanding officers are translated accurately and f aithfully to
sworn coworkers within their assigned team .
9. Detective
Detectives shall be responsible for conducting criminal and sometimes noncriminal
investigations as directed by their respective commanding officer, including but