Policy Text
Page 1 of 7 - General Order 2-6 - (09/06/23)
WATCH COMMANDERS AND NOTIFICATION
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: WATCH COMMANDERS AND NOTIFICATION
Chapter
2 Number
6 # Pages
7
References:
CALEA Standards: 11.3.3, 12.1.2b, 12.1.4, 41.2.4,
70.1.7a Related Orders:
03-07, 04-07, 09-02
Effective Date: 09/06/2023
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 11/18/2020
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to define the duties and responsibilities of the Watch
Commanders and to establish the notification process of certain personnel concerning serious and
unusual occurrences. This directive also outlines the duties and responsibilities of members of the
Department as they relate to these assignments.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This general order is due for review and remains unchanged.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to maintain continuous executive command
level supervision of all police operations on a n around-the-clock basis. The Charter of the City
of Richmond assigns responsibility for the efficiency, discipline and good order of the
Department to the Chief of Police. The Watch Commander position is designed to affect such
efficiency, discipline and good order. Individuals serving in these positions are representatives of
the Chief of Police. The Watch Commander shall be the Operational Commander of the
Department’s personnel and facilities and will notify the Chief of Police or designee, then the
Duty Major, who in turn will notify Deputy Chief of Police - Operations of incidents deemed
appropriate.
[CALEA 11.3.3]
It is also the policy of the Department that when aware of serious or unusual occurrences
involving police personnel, City of Richmond personnel, equipment and facilities or of a
nature involving widespread public interest, that certain City personnel are informed, as
deemed appropriate. [CALEA 41.2.4]
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this
general order. Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective action. Responsibility
rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations of policy are investigated and
appropriate training, counseling, and/or disciplinary action is initiated.
Page 2 of 7 - General Order 2-6 - (09/06/23)
WATCH COMMANDERS AND NOTIFICATION This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in any
way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or case in an
evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if proven, can
only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only in a non-judicial
administrative setting.
IV. DEFINITIONS
WATCH COMMANDERS (Unit 9A (Area 1) & Unit 9B (Area 2) – Captains shall be
assigned to the Watch Commanders’ Office and report directly to the Chief of Staff. Watch
Commanders shall be on-duty seven days a week, manage the radio and be responsible for any
unusual events, crimes and other situations deemed appropriate.
NOTE: If only one Watch Commander is on duty, he or she should mark on as Unit 9.
V. PROCEDURE [CALEA 12.1.2b]
A. Watch Commanders shall perform the following functions and have authority to:
1. Respond to serious crime scenes, disasters and any other situation deemed
appropriate anywhere within the City of Richmond;
2. Communicate substantive issues and incidents to the Command Staff and Chief of
Police; [CALEA 11.3.3]
3. Act as a scene/incident commander as directed;
4. Ensure Precinct Sergeants conduct effective Roll Calls, conduct Tasks Inspections,
and provide executive-level decision making and support to first-line (immediate)
supervisors;
5. Assume command, render decisions and intervene, if necessary, in appropriate
matters;
6. Recall off-duty personnel, such as the SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiations Unit,
Detectives, Forensics personnel, Crash Investigators, and any other Department
member deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Department. (NOTE:
Field Supervisors, Detective Supervisors or Detectives on the scene have the
authority to recall additional Detectives, Forensic personnel or the Medical
Examiner);
7. Notify the Chief of Police or designee, then the Duty Major, who in turn will notify
the Deputy Chief of Police - Operations of any unusual occurrences, such as
homicides, police shootings, serious injury to police personnel, civil disorder,
natural disasters or threats of the same, narcotic or organized crime activities, any
particular ly heinous crime or any emotional or controversial incident which is
likely to become an issue for the news media or the City Administration;
8. Respond to media inquiries after normal business hours;
9. Relieve personnel of duty when necessary;
Page 3 of 7 - General Order 2-6 - (09/06/23)
WATCH COMMANDERS AND NOTIFICATION 10. When designated by the Chief of Police or designee, notify the employee’s family
members and advise them of victim/witness services when any Department
member is killed in the line-of-duty or sustains serious injury;
11. Ensure all preliminary investigations and reports related to unusual occurrences are
submitted to the Chief of Police