Policy Text
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Personnel DATE: 14 May 14
SUBJECT: New DGO D -13.1, ASSIGNMENT TO ACTING SERGEANT OF POLICE
The purpose of the creation of this order is to establish Department policy and proce dures
regarding the assignment to acting sergeant of police.
Effective immediately, SO 8435, ACTING SERGEANT SELECTION PROCESS, is hereby
cancelled. Additionally all references to Acting Sergeant in DGO D -13, ASSIGNMENT TO
ACTING HIGHER RANK OR CLASSIFIC ATION are superseded by DGO D -13.1.
The following is a summary of the substantive changes from SO 8435 which was incorporated in
to this order. This summary s hall not take the place of the review and understanding of the entire
document :
Added P art I, A -C:
I. POLICY
A. Authorized Sergeant of Police positions which are unfilled or vacant due
to extended absences, may be temporarily filled, at the discretion of the
Chief of Police, or designee, in accordance with City policies and
Memorandum of Understan ding (MOU) with the Oakland Police Officer’s
Association. In certain cases, vacant positions may remain unfilled,
reclassified or the duties reallocated among other positions.
B. A Division Commander or Captain may select an Acting Sergeant from
the Acti ng Sergeant’s Eligibility List to a team in the absence of the
team’s permanent supervisor, except as specified in Part C.
C. In the absence of a Patrol and/or primarily field based (e.g. CRT, PSO)
team’s permanent supervisor, a Watch Commander or Divisio n
Commander may select an Acting Sergeant from the Acting Sergeant’s
Eligibility List only when an unexpected vacancy occurs. Additionally,
the following must occur:
1. The unexpected vacancy must occur the same day of the
supervisor’s scheduled shift;
2. There are no available Sergeants assigned to administrative
positions in Patrol or primarily field based teams; and
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
D-13.1
Index as:
Assignment to Acting
Sergeant of Police
Effective Date:
14 May 14
Evaluation Coordinator:
BFO Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
14 Nov 14
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 years
Page 1 of 7
ASSIGNMENT TO ACTING SERGEANT OF POLICE
The purpose of this order is to set forth policy and procedures regarding the selection and
assignment to the classification of Acting Sergeant of Police.
I. POLICY
A. Authorized Sergeant of Police positions which are unfilled or vacant due to
extended absences, may be temporarily filled, at the discretion of the Chief
of Police, or designee, in accordance with City policies and Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with the Oakland Police Officer’s Association. In
certain cases, vacant positions may remain unfilled, reclassified or the
duties reallocated among other positions.
B. A Division Commander or Captain may select an Acting Sergeant from the
Acting Sergeant’s Eligibility List to a team in the absence of the t eam’s
permanent supervisor, except as specified in Part C.
C. In the absence of a Patrol and/or primarily field based (e.g. CRT, PSO)
team’s permanent supervisor, a Watch Commander or Division Commander
may select an Acting Sergeant from the Acting Sergea nt’s Eligibility List
only when an unexpected vacancy occurs. Additionally, the following must
occur:
1. The unexpected vacancy must occur the same day of the
supervisor’s scheduled shift;
2. There are no available Sergeants assigned to administrative
positions in Patrol or primarily field based teams; and
3. The supervisory ratio (1 to 8) is still exceeded with the movement of
personnel to another team or the movement of personnel would
result in unsafe staffing levels in the Area.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT D-13.1 Effective Date
14 May 14
Page 2 of 7
II. ACTING SERGEANT SELECTION PROCESS
A. Acting Sergeant’s Qualifications:
An Acting Sergeant shall meet the following qualifications unless
specifically exempt ed by the Chief of Police;
1. At least three (3) years of sworn Departmental service;
2. Two (2) years of Patro l experience,
3. Receive at least a Fully Effective performance appraisal for two (2)
years preceding selection;
4. Be committed to the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values and
possess a level of professionalism and ethics consistent with
Department al expectations;
5. Understand the importance of developing positive working
relationships with the community and quality citizen contacts;
6. Possess leadership skills; demonstrate problem solving abilities, and
a commitment to Community Policing;
7. Demonstrate a sound working knowledge of, and ability to apply,
the following:
a. Departmental policies and procedures;
b. Interpersonal and tactical communications;
c. Decision making skills;
d. Laws of arrest;
e. Preliminary investigation skills; and
f. Report writing.
8. Not have an excessive number of use of force incidents for a period
of two (2) years preceding nomination.
a. “Excessive” shall not merely be defined by a number but
rather by the totality of circumstances that led to the use of
force to minimally include:
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT D-13.1 Effective Date
14 May 14
Page 3