go-02.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Chain of Command-General Management CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1826 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 2 07/15/1985 06/11/2025 31 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES General Order 20, Corrective Action Procedures General Order 46, Rules of Conduct General Order 57, Training Protocols ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapters 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 15, 17, 21, 22, 26, 31, 33, 35, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46, 55, 61, 70, 71, 72, 73, 81, 82, 84, 91 CFA Chapters 2, 3, 10, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29 KEY WORD INDEX Administrative Activities and Reporting Procedure VII, Appendix One Authority and Responsibility Procedure I Collective Bargaining Process Procedure X Information Exchange and Coordination Procedure VI Issuance of Orders Procedure II Mandatory Refresher Training Procedure VIII, Appendix Two Organizational Structure Appendix Three Planning and Research Function Procedure V Span of Control Procedure III Staff Allocation Procedure IV POLICY The Department is responsible for establishing an efficient organizational structure, a clear chain of command, and effective administrative processes in support of the Department’s mission. Members are responsible for abiding by the protocols of this written directive in the course of their work assignments in support of the Department’s mission.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEFINITIONS Member: Any civilian or sworn Department employee or volunteer. Order: A written or oral instruction from a supervisor. Project Manager: The appointed member to spearhead a planning and research project. Span of Control: The number of subordinates who directly report to one supervisor. Supervisor: A member with delegated authority to lead, oversee, and supervise members in the accomplishment of their work assignments. Written Directive: Approved General Orders, Special Orders, Standard Operating Procedures, and policy memoranda. PROCEDURES I. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY A. Members shall be aware of their relative position within the Department, to whom they are immediately accountable, and those for whom they are responsible. B. Members at each level of command have the authority to make decisions necessary for the effective execution of responsibilities and shall be held accountable for the use of authority and the performance of their subordinates. C. The following is the chain of command for sworn members: 1. Chief of Police 2. Assistant Chief 3. Deputy Chief 4. Major 5. Captain (if applicable) 6. Lieutenant (if applicable) 7. Sergeant GENERAL ORDER 2 PAGE 2 of 31 CHAIN OF COMMAND – GENERAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 8. Officer/Reserve Officer D. The chain of command for civilian members assigned to the Administrative Services, Executive Services, and High-Risk Offender Bureaus are as follows: 1. Chief of Police 2. Assistant Chief 3. Deputy Chief 4. Major 5. Captain (if applicable) 6. Lieutenant (if applicable) 7. Civilian Supervisor 8. Civilian Member E. Members shall report to their assigned supervisor and follow the chain of command thereafter. The chain of command will generally follow the Department’s organizational structure as identified in the organizational chart. F. Members should not assume command outside their own organizational structure unless failure to do so would endanger lives, property, or the professional reputation of the Department. G. Under normal operating conditions, the highest-ranking sworn member present should assume command of any given situation. H. When members of two or more organizational components are involved in a criminal investigation, the ranking member present from the organizational component responsible for the follow-up investigation and conclusion of the case may assume responsibility for the investigation and take command of the crime scene. I. When members from two or more organizational components are involved in a special event (e.g., football game staffing) or a critical incident (e.g., train derailment), members shall adhere to the command protocols established under the Incident Command System. GENERAL ORDER 2 PAGE 3 of 31 CHAIN OF COMMAND – GENERAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT J. The Chief of Police has the authority to designate command authority in any situation. K. In the event of a planned absence, the Chief of Police shall issue a written memorandum designating an “Acting Chief of Police.” II. ISSUANCE OF ORDERS A. Orders shall be given in clear, understandable language, civil in tone, and issued in support of the Department’s mission and operational objectives. B. Members shall obey all lawful orders issued by a supervisor, including any order: 1. From a duly appointed acting supervisor, or 2. Relayed by a supervisor through a person of the same or lesser rank as the supervisor issuing the order. C. Members are accountable for the utilization of delegated authority. D. Supervisors shall not knowingly issue an order in violation of any City of Tallahassee or Department policy, law, or ordinance. E. Members are not required to obey an order contrary to law or policy, but the responsibility for justifying the refusal to obey rests with the member. 1. A member receiving an unlawful or improper order shall, at the first opportunity, submit a memorandum through their chain of command to the Chief of Police containing the facts of the incident and actions taken. 2. Appeals for relief from such orders may be made at the same time. F. A member who willfully refuses to comply with a lawful order or directive, written or oral, to include both an expressed refusal to obey a proper order or a deliberate failure to carry out an order, is deemed to be insubordinate. G. When faced with an act of insubordination, the issuing supervisor shall promptly inform the member that failure to comply with the order could result in corrective action up to and including termination. GENERAL ORDER 2 PAGE 4 of 31 CHAIN OF COMMAND – GENERAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. When warranted, a supervisor of the rank of lieutenant or above has the authority to immediately suspend an insubordinate member contemporaneous to the act of insubordination. 2. Refer to the suspension protocols in General Order 20 (Corrective Action Procedures). H. Supervisors are responsible for avoiding the issuance of conflicting orders. I. When warranted by operational necessity, a supervisor of the rank of Major or above has the authority to issue an order conflicting with written directives and procedures, and: 1. The order must be issued in writing, 2. If circumstances prohibit the order from being written prior to its issuance, the reason for the order and the delay of its documentation shall be denoted in a numbered memorandum to the Chief of Police, and 3. The authority granted in this subsection does not preclude an inquiry into the reasonableness of the conflicting order. J. When warranted by operational necessity, a supervisor may override an order given to a member without consulting the supervisor issuing the previous order, and: 1. The supervisor issuing the conflicting order is responsible for justifying the conflicting order. 2. Upon receipt of an order conflicting with a previous order or instruction, the affected member shall advise the person issuing the second order of the conflict, and 3. The responsibility for overriding the original order or instruction then rests with the supervisor issuing the second order. III. SPAN OF CONTROL A. The span of control should not exceed nine to 12 members. 1. Under certain working conditions, the span of control may be increased (e.g., emergencies, special events). 2. Under certain working conditions, the span of control may be decreased (e.g., pre-planned operations). GENERAL ORDER