Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nFORT MYERS POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER 1.5
TITLE: Command Authority & Protocol
INDEXING: Command Authority, Command Protocol, Supervisory Responsibilities, Orders, Conflicting
Orders, Multiple Orders, Staff Meetings, Department Meetings
ISSUED: 09/01/95 REVISED: 03/25/2024 RESCINDS: 10/25/2022
C.A.L.E.A. STANDARDS: 12 PAGES: 4
CONTENTS
This general order contains the following numbered sections:
I. Authority & Direction
II. Supervisory & Employee Responsibilities
III. Multiple or Conflicting Orders
IV. Department & Staff Meetings
PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish the Command Authority and Command Protocol for the
Chief of Police, Command Staff, and supervisors, and to define supervisory and employee responsibilities.
SCOPE
These procedures shall apply to all Fort Myers Police Department personnel.
POLICY
In order to achieve an organizational environment that is responsible not only to the needs of the
community, but also to that of internal operational capabilities, a more specific delineation of direction has
been implemented. Included is a clear and distinct representation of authority and responsibility of the
Chief of Police, a framework for the succession of leadership roles in the absence of the Chief and the
interpretation and adherence to lawful orders and multiple commands.
SECTION I: AUTHORITY & DIRECTION
A. Chief of Police: Article IV (Divisions, Departments, Officers, & Employees), Section 2-331 of
the City Charter states that the city clerk, city attorney, chief of the fire department, and chief of
police shall be appointed. (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.1)
1. Article VI (Civil Service), Section 2-493 Authority to make rules: The chief shall make
rules for the conduct and direction of the police department.
2. Article VI (Civil Service), Section 2-497 Suspensions, demotions, and removals: The
chief of the police department shall have the power to remove, suspend or demote, for
cause, any permanent civil service employee for violations of departmental rules and
regulations.
B. Police Department: The police department shall be under the direction of a Chief of Police,
whose responsibilities include: (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.1)
G.O. 1.5 Command Authority & Protocol 1 of 4 03/25/2024\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\n1. Protection of life and property from crime within the city.
2. Enforcement of all city ordinances, state statutes, and certain federal laws applicable
to the city.
3. Orderly flow of vehicular traffic.
4. Providing a public information program relating to crime prevention for the residents of
the city.
5. Performance of other duties as assigned by the City Manager.
C. Alternate Command Authority: In the event the Chief of Police is unable to perform the duties
and responsibilities of the office due to absence, the leadership role of the organization will be
assumed as follows unless otherwise designated by the Chief of Police: (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.2a,b)
1. Deputy Chief (Office of the Chief of Police, Administration)
2. Deputy Chief (Office of the Chief of Police, Operations)
3. Chief of Staff (Office of the Chief of Police)
4. Patrol Bureau Commander (Captain)
5. Special Operations Bureau Commander (Captain)
6. Investigations Bureau Commander (Captain)
7. Community Engagement Bureau Commander (Captain)
8. Administration Bureau Commander (Captain)
9. Professional Standards Bureau (Captain)
The City Manager shall retain the right to make the discretionary appointment of an acting or
interim Police Chief if the severity or length of the absence necessitates it.
D. Command Protocol: During operations involving personnel from different bureaus or divisions
(Operations, Investigations, Administrative) the senior most officer of the most affected bureau
shall assume command of the operation. (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.2c)
During day-to-day operations, each supervisor (Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain) shall ensure that
an acting supervisor has been named in their absence. Acting assignments should be
rotated among those personnel who meet the minimum requirements for the acting
assignment position. Acting assignments should not last longer than 30 days without
prior written authorization of the Chief of Police. Acting assignments are designated to
serve as a platform to expose an employee to greater authority and responsibility. Acting
assignments are a part of the police department’s succession planning and future
supervisor/leadership building process. (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.2d)
G.O. 1.5 Command Authority & Protocol 2 of 4 03/25/2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nSECTION II: SUPERVISORY & EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Supervisory Responsibilities: All managers / supervisors are accountable and personally
responsible for the work product, conduct, display of professionalism and any other attendant
concerns related to the performance of personnel directly under their command. However, a
manager and supervisor shall not be limited to the supervision of personnel they are assigned.
Every manager and supervisor shall exercise supervision over any member of a lesser rank
demonstrating a need for immediate supervisory action.
It will be a continuing responsibility of all managers and supervisors to ensure proper training
and discipline of subordinates. In order to assist in the achievement of these objectives,
managers and supervisors may implement the utilization of inspections, evaluations,
enforcement of rules and regulations, and / or counseling.
B. Employee Responsibilities: All department employees and members shall be responsible for
the compliance with lawful orders issued by a supervisor, including any order from a supervisor
that is relayed by an employee or member of the same or lesser rank. (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.3)
A lawful order should be considered as any order employees or members should reasonably
believe to be in concert with the performance of their duties.
SECTION III: MULTIPLE OR CONFLICTING ORDERS
A. Multiple or Conflicting Orders: The importance and execution of lawful orders for the
accomplishment of critical or routine tasks is of paramount concern to completing the police
mission. Therefore, if a situation should arise regarding the issuance of conflicting orders, it is
imperative that the organization creates a definitive procedure to follow. (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.3)
In the event an employee or member receives a conflicting lawful order, a contrasting or
changing that of a previous one given, they should:
1. Respectfully inform the supervisor (or other person issuing the order) of the situation
and request a resolution of the conflict.
2. If there is no resolution of the conflict, the employee or member will follow the most
recent order issued and shall not be held accountable for the failure to adhere to the
first.
SECTION IV: DEPARTMENT & STAFF MEETINGS
A. Department Meetings: Departmental elements will conduct regularly scheduled formal briefings
and staff meetings. When possible, each meeting will be conducted in accordance with a pre-
announced agenda. However, at the discretion of a chairperson, attendees may introduce other
material. The following recurring department-level meetings are established:
(C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.4)
1. Command Staff Meeting: The Chief of Police, Command Staff, Criminal Intelligence Unit,
Detective Division, PIO and select Section Lieutenants and Civilian Managers, will meet daily,
Monday through Friday, to discuss the previous day’s crime, any emerging crime trends,
major case report updates, and other important department related information.
2. Bureau / Division Staff Briefing: Each Bureau Commander will hold a bi-weekly meeting
with their subordinate supervisors. The Bureau Commander will establish the date, time,
and location of the meeting.
G.O. 1.5 Command Authority & Protocol 3 of 4 03/25/2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\n3. Supervisor / Sergeants Meetings: The Operations Bureau Commander will hold a monthly
meeting to include the sergeants and lieutenants to discuss operational business and
concerns (Fleet, so