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WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose It is the purpose of this written directive to establish structure and the chain of command for the Windermere Police Department and provide duties and responsibilities for each member. 2. Policy It is the policy of the Windermere Police Department to require all of its members to adhere to a paramilitary structure recognizing the chain of command. 3. Definitions A. Acting - Any sworn member who is assuming responsibilities and duties of the next level of command. B. Chain of Command - Each member is responsible to a superior member of the next highest rank and responsible for those of subordinate rank. C. Chief - The Chief of Police of the Windermere Police Department. D. Command Authority - That authority possessed by any superior, supervisor, or commanding officer. E. Department - The Windermere Police Department. Effective Date: November 11 , 2025  Rescinds  Amends 3.1 (August 30, 202 2) Number: 3.1 SUBJECT : Organization and Structure Print Date: 11/11/25 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month : August 3.1, Page 2 F. Directives - Any order, rules and regulations, or policy and procedure, issued by any member or supervisor authorized by the Chief of Police to issue such orders. G. Direct Orders - Commands or instructions, oral or written, given by one member or supervisor to members of lesser rank. H. Exempt Employee - Members performing certain functions (e.g., professional, managerial) who receive a flat salary, instead of being paid on an hourly basis, in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. I. Manual - A controlled and indexed collection of department written directives. J. May - Optional; a choice to act or not. K. Member - Any employee of the department (sworn/non -sworn). L. Shall - A mandatory requirement. M. Should - An act that is expected or recommended. N. Town - The Town of Winde rmere. O. Will - An obligation. 4. Procedures A. Formal Organization The Police Department shall be composed of sworn and non -sworn members. Town Council will approve the number of personnel allotted for the department. B. Chief of Police The Chief of Police shall assume command of, exercise leadership over, and is responsible for the overall operational effectiveness of the department. The rank of Chief of Police shall be designated by the collar insignia of four (4) gold stars. The Chie f of Police is an exempt position and bound by any other duties as defined by Town Charter. C. Deputy Chief 3.1, Page 3 The Deputy Chief shall assume command of, exercise leadership over, perform the duties of a supervisor, and direct the operation of all assigned operations within the Department, and perform other related duties as directed by the Chief of Police. The Deputy Chief is an exempt position. D. Executive Staff Shall mean the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief, and the Town Manager. The Executi ve Staff is responsible for making management decisions for the department. E. Command Staff Shall consist of all sworn members of the rank of sergeant and above. The Command Staff shall meet regularly to ensure the continuity of operations within the d epartment. F. Supervisors Shall mean members who have as one of their major responsibilities the general authority to direct other members. This includes the review of personnel problems, and giving recommendations arising from a review, or their perform ance. Supervisors shall assign, reward, supervise, and train subordinates. Supervisors shall recommend dismissals, transfers, suspensions, demotions, recalls, and discipline. Members shall be accountable to only one supervisor at any given time. G. Chain of Command 1. The chain of command designates the accepted lines of authority as established from top to bottom through which all agency communications are transmitted. The chain of command must be rigorously followed. Members shall obey any lawful order of a superior, including any order related to the member by another member. [2.03M -POC] Breaking the chain of command is only permitted in certain situations, such as: a. Whenever any member has reason to believe that a supervisor is involved in unlawful or immoral conduct , the member shall immediately notify the Deputy Chief who in turn shall notify the Chief. 3.1, Page 4 b. Whenever a member reasonably believes that he/she has been given an unlawful order , the member shall immediately notify the Deputy Chief who in turn shall notify the Chief. [2.04M -POC] c. If a member of the agency fails to receive satisfaction from an immediate supervisor regarding a personal or agency related problem, members may move to the next level in the chain of command. Members must make this request in writing. 2. Under normal circumstances, the member must request permission from his/her supervisor to move upward on the chain of command. This request may be either verbal or in written form. The supervisor must honor this request. 3. Each member shall be accountable to only one supervisor at any given time. [1.02M] H. Duties of Members 1. Police Sergeant shall: a. Exercise leadership over, perform the duties of a supervisor for, and direct