Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nFORT MYERS POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER 1.6
TITLE: Shift Commander Authority
INDEXING: Shift Commander Authority, Responsibility
ISSUED: 09/01/95 REVISED: 05/09/2024 RESCINDS: 01/18/2019
C.A.L.E.A. STANDARDS: 12 PAGES: 3
CONTENTS
This general order contains the following numbered sections:
I. Authority III. Performance & Discipline
II. Responsibility IV. Cooperation & Morale
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish the authority and responsibility for the Patrol Shift Commander.
SCOPE
These procedures shall apply to all Fort Myers Police Department personnel.
SECTION I: AUTHORITY
Patrol Shift Commanders shall be the officers in charge of the shift to which they are assigned. They are
responsible for its efficiency, conduct, and discipline of its members and employees. They shall be under
the immediate direction and supervision of and accountable to the Patrol Bureau Commander. They shall,
in the absence of an officer of equal or superior rank in any division or unit, assume supervision of the
subordinate officers and civilian employees of such divisions and units until relieved by an officer of that
division or other competent authority. (C.A.L.E.A. 12.1.2d)
SECTION II: RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of Shift Commanders to be in control of all members of their shift or any members of
a lower rank demonstrating immediate need for supervision. It shall be their responsibility to assure proper
handling of all major crimes or unusual occurrences during their tour of duty and shall direct, assist, and
instruct subordinates in the proper methods of handling their assignments. Should a crime or incident
occur that would require the assignment of two or more Sergeants, the Shift Commander will designate
one of those Sergeants as having charge of the scene or function. The primary areas of responsibility for
the Shift Commander are discussed below.
A. It will be the responsibility of the Shift Commander to notify the appropriate Bureau
Commander of any significant or unusual events.
B. The Shift Commander and subordinate Sergeants shall maintain a current list of phone
numbers and addresses of officers assigned to their shift. They shall also ensure that all
of the addresses and phone numbers are updated on the Intranet’s “personnel” link.
G.O. 1.6 Shift Commander Authority 1 of 3 05/09/2024\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nC. When no Lieutenant is on duty, a Sergeant assigned to the shift shall be designated as
Acting Shift Commander based on seniority or as otherwise designated by the Shift
Commander or Bureau Commander.
D. Shift Commanders may also be assigned to and be responsible for a District within the
city limits. They will be responsible for all criminal activity and unusual occurrences within
that District. They will monitor crime trends and facilitate the necessary resources to
combat / eliminate them. Shift Commanders and personnel assigned to them will meet
on a regular basis to discuss and disseminate intelligence information. (SEE General
Order 1.5 – Command Authority & Protocol).
SECTION III: PERFORMANCE & DISCIPLINE
A. The Shift Commander shall be responsible for ensuring that all personnel under their
command perform their duties in an appropriate manner. Inspection, evaluation,
counseling, and the enforcement of department written directives shall be used to
accomplish this.
B. The Shift Commander shall, during each tour of duty, be responsible to see that the patrol
briefing is held, and that all orders, legal updates, memorandums, notifications, changes,
or updates from the Command Staff are given to their personnel and that all personnel
understand any such orders.
C. Shift Commanders may be assigned Administrative Investigations or Preliminary
Assessments by the Internal Affairs Bureau Commander, to investigate minor complaints
against personnel under their command. (SEE General Order 7.1 – Professional
Standards & Internal Affairs).
D. The Shift Commander shall report to their superior officer, in writing, any patrol officer or
Sergeant who is for any reason mentally, morally, or physically unfit for duty.
E. Supervisory Discipline: The Shift Commander shall immediately correct and document
(on the spot admonishment) minor violations of general orders and regulations.
Documentation will be carried out in the IA Pro System or in supervisory notes depending
on the circumstances as determined by the Shift Commander. (SEE General Orders 7.1
– Professional Standards & Internal Affairs and General Order 7.2 – Disciplinary Process).
SECTION IV: COOPERATION & MORALE
A. Shift Commanders are reminded that they are role models to the employees/subordinates
in which they supervise. Therefore, they shall demonstrate professional behavior at all
times by treating employees with dignity and respect.
B. They shall at all times strive to create and maintain a high degree of positive morale and
ethical behavior among the members under their command.
C. They shall maintain friendly, working relationships, and establish a spirit of cooperation
and mutual assistance among the various units of the Operations Bureau, as well as from
other bureaus, sections and divisions with the department.
D. They shall maintain a pleasant, courteous, and dignified attitude. They shall treat every
citizen with respect and endeavor to obtain the goodwill of the public through courteous,
G.O. 1.6 Shift Commander Authority 2 of 3 05/09/2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\npatient attention, and absolute sincerity. They shall ensure that this attitude is also
projected by all of the personnel under their command.
E. Each Shift Commander is responsible for ensuring the Sergeants under their command
comply with the provisions of this directive.
___________________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES:
General Order 1.5 – Command Authority & Protocol
General Order 7.1 – Professional Standards & Internal Affairs
General Order 7.2 – Disciplinary Process
___________________________________________________________________________________
APPROVED:
[Electronic Signature on File] 05/09/2024
________________________________ ____________________________
Jason Fields, Chief of Police Date
Fort Myers Police Department
G.O. 1.6 Shift Commander Authority 3 of 3 05/09/2024