Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
SUBJECT
Line Inspections
CHIEF OF POLICE
Signature on File
Proudly Policing Since 1826 Nationally Accredited 1986
NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES
35 07/15/1985 06/27/2025 9
AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES
General Order 4, Appearance and Uniform Regulations
General Order 46, Rules of Conduct
General Order 66, Vehicle Assignment and Operations
General Order 61, Weapons, Firearms and Less-lethal Firearms
AIU-1, Unit Structure and Responsibilities
ACCREDITATION REFERENCES
CALEA Chapter 53
CFA Chapter 4
KEY WORD INDEX
Accreditation & Inspection Unit Responsibilities Procedure IX
Formal Line Inspection – General Procedures Procedure III
Formal Line Inspection – Handguns Procedure V
Formal Line Inspection – Shoulder Firearms Procedure VI
Formal Line Inspection – Uniform/Equipment Procedure IV
Formal Line Inspection – Vehicle/Equipment Procedure VII
General Protocols Procedure I
Informal Line Inspection Procedures Procedure II
Line Inspection Form, Deficiencies & Corrections Procedure VIII
POLICY
In order to ensure Department operational readiness and adherence to
appearance and uniform regulations, members shall adhere to established
protocols for informal and formal line inspections.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEFINITIONS
Clearing Barrel: A device located in the rear of the check-on room used for
loading and unloading a handgun to prevent damage or injury in case of an
accidental discharge of the handgun.
Deficiency: When the condition of property or equipment is lacking some
necessary quality or element, or is not in compliance with Department policy, or
is otherwise not to Department standard, or when required equipment is not
being carried. Also includes when a member’s appearance is not in compliance
with Department policy.
Formal Line Inspection: Documented assessment and scrutiny of sworn
members’ uniform, appearance, equipment, handguns and other firearms, and
assigned vehicles to ensure operational readiness and compliance with
Department standards.
Informal Line Inspection: Daily or regular assessment and examination of
members’ appearance, equipment, workspace, and assigned vehicles to ensure
operational readiness and compliance with Department standards.
Shoulder Firearm: A Department-issued or Department-approved rifle or
Department-issued shotgun.
Temporary Modified Duty: A short-term work assignment that changes the
member’s normal job duties, enabling them to engage in work for the Department
while recovering from an injury or ailment (previously referred to as light duty).
PROCEDURES
I. GENERAL PROTOCOLS
A. The provisions of this general order apply to line inspections of all
bureaus (and subdivisions thereof) and the Office of the Chief.
B. Supervisors and commanders are authorized to conduct line
inspections of members under their command and shall do so in an
open manner with the full knowledge and awareness of the member(s)
being inspected.
C. Members are responsible for being attentive, forthright, and
cooperative during a line inspection.
GENERAL ORDER 35 PAGE 2 of 9
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D. A commander (lieutenant or higher rank) may direct or conduct a
formal line inspection without providing prior notice.
E. Whether or not part of a line inspection, supervisors and commanders
are authorized to observe, review, and inspect any subordinate
member, Department-issued/authorized property and equipment,
and/or the member’s work area to ensure compliance with Department
policy.
II. INFORMAL LINE INSPECTION PROCEDURES
A. Informal line inspections shall be practiced at each level of command
to ensure compliance with:
1. General Order 4 (Appearance and Uniform Regulations), and
2. The mandates of General Order 46 (Rules of Conduct) regarding
maintaining Department property, equipment and facilities.
B. Informal line inspections may occur at any time and any place, to
include certain pre-event briefings (e.g., special events, directed
patrols, special operations).
C. Informal line inspections do not require the completion of a Line
Inspection Form (PD 242), but may be documented as deemed
appropriate by a supervisor or commander.
D. Any deficiencies noted during an informal line inspection shall be
corrected within two working days of the inspection, and the follow-up
protocols are the same as for a formal line inspection (see subsection
VIII D below).
III. FORMAL LINE INSPECTION – GENERAL PROCEDURES
A. Only sworn supervisors are authorized to conduct formal line
inspections, and such inspections are usually conducted by the first
line supervisor.
B. Bureau lieutenants are encouraged to be present during formal line
inspections.
C. Supervisors shall conduct formal line inspections of each member
under their command quarterly, by the 20th day of the months of
March, June, September, and December.
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1. When a member is not present for the inspection, the supervisor is
responsible for inspecting the member as soon as practical.
2. Members on a Temporary Modified Duty assignment are not
required to participate in a formal line inspection.
D. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring each formal line inspection
addresses the items listed on the PD 242 (both issued and authorized),
to ensure:
1. Compliance with General Order 4 (Appearance and Uniform
Regulations),
2. Compliance with the mandates of General Order 46 (Rules of
Conduct) regarding maintaining Department property, equipment
and facilities, and
3. Expiration dates are not exceeded for all items on the PD242,
including but not limited to, OC Spray, ballistic vest, gas mask
filters, driver’s license, ORK, etc.
IV. FORMAL LINE INSPECTION – UNIFORM APPEARANCE/EQUIPMENT
A. The supervisor conducting a formal line inspection should give
commands to the members to line up, stand in formation throughout
the inspection, and be dismissed once the inspection is complete.
B. The supervisor shall inspect each member’s overall appearance and
equipment carried (e.g., handcuffs, baton, radio).
C. Supervisors of sworn members who wear the Class C or Class D
Uniform are responsible for the inspection of the member’s Class B
uniform and uniform-related equipment during each formal line
inspection.
V. FORMAL LINE INSPECTION – HANDGUNS
A. Due to safety issues involved with handgun inspections, the supervisor
shall ensure only one handgun at a time is inspected.
B. All handgun inspections shall be conducted in front of the clearing
barrel in the Patrol Operations check-on room or other designated
location.
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C. The supervisor shall ensure handguns are inspected as follows:
1. The supervisor shall stand next to the member, on their handgun
side.
2. The member shall remove the magazine from the holstered
handgun.
3. The member shall deactivate the retention mechanisms of the
holster, draw the handgun from the holster with the index finger
remaining outside the trigger guard, and extend the firearm into the
clearing barrel.
4. The member shall grasp the rear of the slide and, while holding the
handgun inside the clearing barrel, pull the slide to the rear allowing
the chambered round to be extracted.
5. The member shall lock back the slide and then give the handgun to
the supervisor while pointing it in a direction away from any nearby
person.
6. The supervisor shall inspect the handgun, all magazines, and
ammunition for cleanliness and to ensure:
a. The handgun is in basic proper working condition (i.e., slide
moves smoothly, no obstruction in barrel), and
b. The ammunition is authorized and appropriate (e.g., ensuring
there is no training ammunition in the magazines).
7. After the handgun has been inspected, the supervisor shall ret