Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
A-19: SUPERVISORY SPAN OF CONTROL
Effective Date: 09 Jul 18
Coordinator: Bureau of Field Operations Administration
Page 1 of 3
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 .
A. PRIMARY SERGEANTS FOR FIELD AND INVESTIGATION UNITS
A - 1. Assignment of Primary Sergean ts for Field Units
Sufficient primary sergeants shall be assigned at draw board / Master Detail
level to the Bureau of Field Operations to permit one primary sergeant for
every eight officers under normal conditions .
A - 2. Required Supervisory Ratio for Field Se rgeants
Under normal conditions, the Watch Commander or appropriate Unit
Commander shall ensure a ratio of one primary sergeant to not more than
eight field officers for the following units :
1. Patrol Squads;
2. Crime Reduction Teams (CRT);
3. Community Resource Of ficers (CRO); and
4. Other units identified by the Chief of Police.
A - 3. Personnel not Counted for Field Supervisory Ratios
Canine teams, mobile evaluation teams, civilian personnel, sworn field
evidence technicians, desk officers and members in field training status and
assigned to a certified FTO, within a team, shall not be counted towards the
designated limit for determining the span of contro l.
A - 4. Continuity of Sergeant Scheduling
A primary sergeant shall work the same shift and have the same days off as
the individuals they supervise whenever reasonably possible.
B. SUPERVISORY ABSENCES AND RATIO EXCEPTIONS
Whenever a supervisory vacancy occurs as a result of a transfer or promotion, the
vacancy shall be filled as soon as practical with another primary sergeant. The
appropriate Bureau Deputy Chief shall approve any exceptions to this requirement.
Transfer(s) shall be in accordance with the Promotional and Transfer Policy, as well
as current Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Agreement with the Oakland
Police Officers’ Association.
DEPARTMENTAL GENER AL ORDER A-19 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 09 Jul 18
Page 2 of 3 B - 1. Short -term Supervisory Absences
In the event of a primary sergeant short -term absence (i.e., due to sickness,
vacation, compensatory time off, training or other leaves), the Watch
Commander shall determine, based on policy and o perational needs, whether
or not to backfill for the absence . Backfill assignments shall be made using
the following criteria and processes :
1. A Commander may assign a primary sergeant to supervise two teams
provided the total span of control of eight membe rs is not exceeded in
accordance with the provisions of this order.
2. Backfill supervision should be provided by an assigned administrative
relief sergeant.
3. If the administrative relief sergeant is not available, the team should be
supervised by any other Sergeant of Police available for backfill.
4. If no other sergeants are available, the team may be supervised by an
acting sergeant.
B - 2. Extended Supervisory Absences
If the primary sergeant is absent for a period exceeding four consecutive
calendar weeks, a de dicated relief sergeant or other Sergeant of Police shall be
transferred or loaned to the vacant position and shall be assigned to the
affected squad for the remainder of the absence. The newly assigned, loaned
or transferred sergeant shall then be conside red the primary sergeant .
B - 3. Considerations for Replacing or Backfilling Supervisors on Extended
Absence
Commanders shall continually assess primary sergeant absences in
anticipation of the need to assign an administrative sergeant or to loan or
transfer a se rgeant into vacant positions .
Loan or transfer decisions for long -term backfill are determined or approved
by the Chief of police or Deputy Chief of Police within the appropriate chain
of command .
In the absence of a primary sergeant for more than four consecutive calendar
weeks, Commanders shall complete a performance review for every member
and employee of the team. This review shall be documented as a Supervisory
Note File (SNF) and reviewed with the newly assigned, transferred or loaned
primary serge ant.
B - 4. Exception to Supervisor to Officer Ratio
When a special operation requires more than eight members, the incident or
operational Commander shall determine a reasonable span of control. In
making this determination, the operational Commander shall, at a minimum,
consider the following factors :
1. Nature of assignment;
DEPARTMENTAL GENER AL ORDER A-19 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 09 Jul 18
Page 3 of 3 2. Whether officers are assigned to stationary or moving posts;
3. Level of expertise and training needed for the assignment; and
4. Operational risk.
An operation that exceeds a span of control ratio of one sergeant to eight field
officers shall be documented as approved in the Operation Plan .
By order of
Anne E. Kirkpatrick
Chief of Police Date Signed: 23 Jun 18