Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 1 02/03 (REV 4/08)
Start and End of Watch
The purpose of this Order is to e stablish a uniform time proced ure by which patrol
officers will start and end their assigned watch.
I. Start of Watch
A. Unless otherwise authoriz ed, officers will be prepared, in u niform and at
briefing, promptly at their assi gned times. Immediately followi ng briefing,
officers will receive their assigned equipment, inspect it, and be logged
onto radio (verbally and/or via MDT) within 45 minutes after st art of watch.
B. In the event an officer has supervisor’s approval for specia l activity, they
will log on and on-view the activity . Such activities may incl ude:
1. Report writing or departm ental correspondence
2. Training requirements
3. Conferences with or special assignments from supervisors
4. Equipment repair
II. End of Watch
A. End of watch shall be defined as the end of the officer’s re gularly assigned
working shift. Example: Day s hift’s assigned hours are 0630-16 30; 1630
is to be considered end of watch.
B. Officers shall not leave the field more than 45 minutes prio r to the end of
their assigned shift wit hout supervisor approval.
C. Priority calls (1, 2, 3, and 4) will be dispatched without r egard to time
limitations.
D. In any case, officers will no t leave the field until they ar e duly relieved by
the next on-coming watch, or giv en permission by a supervisor.