Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
207 Delano PD Policy Manual
Staffing Levels
207.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that proper supervision is available for all shifts. The
Department intends to balance the employee's needs against the need to have flexibility and
discretion in using personnel to meet operational needs. While balance is desirable, the paramount
concern is the need to meet operational requirements of the Department.
207.2 MINIMUM STAFFING LEVELS
Minimum staffing levels should result in the scheduling of at least one supervisor on duty whenever
possible. The minimum staffing for all shifts shall be a supervisor and four officers, which may
include a Corporal who is not acting as the Watch supervisor.
Should the Watch Commander determine that the oncoming shift would be operating below
minimum staffing, he/she should begin attempting to backfill the needed positions to ensure that
the shift does not start below minimum staffing levels. If the realization that the shift will be
below minimum staffing does not occur until the shift has begun, the oncoming WC will make the
necessary arrangements to bring the shift up to minimum staffing levels. (This may create a short
time period where the shift is below minimum.)
The Watch Commander attempting to backfill vacancies is to begin calling in officer’s beginning
with those with the highest seniority. If there are no officer’s able to respond, the WC is to order
the officer with the lower seniority in to work. While the officer with the lowest seniority may be the
one ordered in, the WC should consider the number of hours already worked, hardship, and other
issues, which may arise. In those events, the WC should consider going to the next officer lowest
in seniority. If an officer from an oncoming shift calls in sick to the on duty watch commander
they do not work for, that watch commander shall attempt to call in a replacement officer for the
oncoming shift watch commander
In the event there are insufficient officers to meet minimum staffing, the WC shall take reasonable
steps to contact personnel in order to meet minimum staffing. When unable to do so, the WC
should notify his/her Division Commander by E-mail or phone text.
207.2.1 SUPERVISION DEPLOYMENTS
In order to accommodate training and other unforeseen circumstances, an officer may be used
as field supervisors in place of a field sergeant.
With prior authorization from the Patrol Division Commander, an officer may act as the Watch
Commanderfor a limited period of time .
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Staffing Levels - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department