Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/2011 08/02/24
TUSTIN P OLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____ ________
101 - Direction 1 POLICY 101 DIRECTION
101.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Tustin Police Department has a written plan that defines the authority of the Chief of Police
and establishes the chain of command and supervisory accountability. It provide s employees with
a clear under standing of operating constraints and organizational expectations.
101.1. 1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 12.1.1 , 12.1.2 , 12.1.3 , 12.1.4 , 33.5.2,
41.1.2 , 42.1.2, 42.2.3 , 42.2.4
This policy pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: N/A
101.2 RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIRECTION AND CONTROL
The Chief of Police has the sole authority and responsibility for the management, direction,
administration and control of the operation of the police departmen t (§38630(a) of California
Government Code ).
101.3 COMMAND ORDER OF PRECEDENCE AND PROTOCOL
When the Chief of Police is absent, the order of precedence for command authority is the Deputy
Chief . In case of incapacitating injury to, or death of the Chief of Police , the Deputy Chief is
responsible for the operation of the department until the City Manager names a replacement . The
rank of command of the department is as follows:
a) Chief of Police
b) Deputy Chief
c) Captain
d) Lieutenant
e) Sergeant
In the event of a pl anned absence, the Chief of Police will name an Acting Chief of Police. In the
event no Acting Chief of Police is appointed, the line of succession, in the absence of the Chief of
Police is as follows:
a) Deputy Chief
b) Captain by seniority in rank
c) Lieutenant by seniority in rank
d) Sergeant by seniority in rank
Command protocol in situations involving personnel of different offices or sections engaging in a
single operation is as follows:
a) The command structure always follows the chain of command.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/2011 08/02/24
TUSTIN P OLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____ ________
101 - Direction 2 b) Whenever the command structure is not easily distinguishable by rank, responsibility
of command remains with the command officer having primary functional
responsibility.
c) Whenever command structure is easily distinguishable by rank, but the command
officer having prima ry functional responsibility is of lower rank; the responsibility of
command remains with the highest -ranking officer.
d) Primary functional responsibility means matters that fall within an officer’s normal
responsibilities and duties.
101.4 REQUIREMENT TO OBEY LAWFUL ORDERS
Employees must promptly obey an y lawful orders or directives of a supervisor. This includes
orders or directives from a superior that an employee of the same o r lesser rank relays. If an
employee receives a conflicting order or directiv e, the employee must respectfully call the conflict
to the attention of the supervisor giving the last order. If the supervisor giving the last order does
not change the order, the employee m ust obey the last order and is not responsible for
disobedience of the first order.
101.4.1 UNLAWFUL ORDERS
Employees must never obey any order that they know or should know would require them to
commit any illegal act. If in doubt as to the legality of an order, employees must request the issuer
to clarify the order or to confer with higher authority.
Any employee who disobeys or disregards a supervisor’s lawful order or directive, verbal or
written, is subject to disciplinary action.
101.5 INTER -OFFICE COMMUNICATION AND MEETINGS
It is the policy of the departmen t to conduct regular meetings at all levels of command within the
organization . To maintain an effective communications network and promote cooperation
throughout the organization, in addition to formal meetings, non -patrol employees should take
opportunit ies to attend briefings and all employees should read depa rtment informational
publications.
101.5.1 DEPARTMENT MEETINGS
The Chief of Police or their designee may call a meeting of all personnel at their discretion. When
an employee feels a meeting of al l department personnel is necessary, they may make a written
request for such meeting to the Chief of Police through the chain of command.
101.5.2 COMMAND STAFF MEETINGS
The Chief’s Command Staff meetings are generally held once a week and include the C hief of
Police , Deputy Chief, Captain, and Civilian Commander. Additional meetings may be arranged at
the discretion of the Chief of Police , as needed. The Chief of Police meets with the Management
Staff biweekly , which includes Lieutenants and Civilian Managers.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/2011 08/02/24
TUSTIN P OLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____ ________
101 - Direction 3 101.5.3 ALL SUPERVISORS MEETINGS
The All Supervisors Meeting includes all supervisory and management staff members and occurs
twice annually . Other department members may be invited regarding specific