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HELENA POLICE DEPARTMENT VOLUME 1

Law Enforcement Jurisdiction, Responsibilities & Organization CHAPTER 3

GENERAL ORDER ISSUED DATE: 1/1/01

SUBJECT: Duties & Responsibilities of Members REVIEW & EDIT: 2/3/06

RESCINDS: 1-2-02.00 thru 1-2-05.05

1-3-00.00 thru 1-3-03.03

1-4-00.00 thru 1-4-04.01

I. PURPOSE

II. CHIEF OF POLICE

III. ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE

IV. COMMAND OFFICER

V. SUPERVISORY OFFICER

VI. MEMBERS

VII. OFFICER IN CHARGE

VIII. NOTIFICATION PROCESS

I. PURPOSE

A. To familiarize all personnel with the organizational structure of the department and its chain of command.

B. To familiarize all personnel with the basic duties of the positions within the organizational structure of the department.

C. To identify the chain of command and proper notification procedure.

II. CHIEF OF POLICE

A. General Duties

1. To preserve the peace.

2. To make all lawful arrests.

3. To execute all processes issued by a judge or directed to him/her by any bona fide legal authority.

4. To attend upon the City Court regularly.

5. To have charge of all Helena police officers.

6. To perform such other duties as the City Commission may prescribe.

7. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

8. The Chief must not serve a process in any civil action or proceeding except when a city or town is a party.

9. He/She has the same powers and duties as any police officer of the City of Helena.

B. Specific Duties

1. There are many other duties assigned to the Chief of Police, by ordinance and statute, many of which will be written in their appropriate places throughout this Manual.

C. Powers of the Chief of Police

1. In performing his/her duties, the Chief, generally speaking, acts independently, except as otherwise directed by the City Manager.

2. The City Manager maintains charge of and supervision over the police department and shall make rules consistent with laws of the State, or ordinances of the City, for the government, direction, management, and discipline of the police force. (M.C.A. 7-32-4103)

D. Function

1. Administration - The Chief of Police must provide for sound management of the Police Department. The Chief is responsible for maximum utilization of the budget, manpower, equipment and other available resources.

2. Command - The Chief has primary responsibility for Command as the Chief Administrator of the Police Department. While the Chief of Police must by necessity delegate this authority, the Chief remains the source of all power to command as prescribed by Montana state law, Helena City Code and the City Manager. (Helena City Code 2-4-2).

3. Community Relations - The Chief of Police is the single most important public representative within the Department. As a servant of the City, the Chief ultimately answers to the citizens of Helena. He/She makes contacts with individual citizens, groups and organizations. He/She interprets public attitudes towards the Helena Police Department and law enforcement in general and, guided by his/her knowledge, establishes programs to educate the public of the need for and the needs of law enforcement.

4. Liaison With Other Departments, Agencies, etc.

a) The Chief of Police is the official representative of the Department, except when the authority to act in his/her name is delegated by him/her to a subordinate or subordinates.

b) All official correspondence will be written in the Chief's name and will be approved by him/her.

5. Peace Officer - This function in the Helena Police Department is delegated entirely to sworn Helena Police officers.

III. ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE

A. General Duties

1. The Assistant Chief of Police is second in command in the Helena Police Department and is subordinate to the Chief, for whom he/she serves as Executive Officer.

2. The Chief of Police may, at any time, detail specific administrative and executive duties to him/her and he/she has the same powers and duties as any police officer of the City of Helena.

3. The Assistant Chief of Police, at the direction of the Chief, implements the administrative direction of the police department.

4. The Assistant Chief of Police assumes the Chief's duties and responsibilities during his/her temporary absence from duty.

5. The Assistant Chief of Police directly supervises all Division Commanding Officers and special units of the police department under his/her span of control.

6. The Assistant Chief of Police reviews the reports of and directs disciplinary actions, personnel investigations, citizen's complaints, promotions, and the Performance Step System.

7. He/She assists the City Personnel office with the hiring of all police personnel.

8. He/She makes public appearances on behalf of the Chief.

9. He/She represents the Chief at City Commission, Police Commission, and other law enforcement meetings when the Chief is unable to attend, or at the Chief's discretion.

10. Represents the Chief as the Auxiliary/Reserve Unit Commanding Officer and shall coordinate the activities of the Police Auxiliary/Reserve Unit with those of the Police Department.

11. Makes arrests, conducts investigations and all other law enforcement duties as needed and necessary, or as directed by the Chief.

B. Specific Duties

1. During Absence of the Chief

a) During the Chief's temporary absence from duty, the Assistant Chief of Police will assume the Chief's duties and responsibilities, unless otherwise directed by the Chief or the City Manager. During such time as may be required, he/she will exercise the authority necessary to fulfill those temporary responsibilities.

2. Supervisory Responsibility

a) The Assistant Chief will directly supervise the Division Commanders and all special units as assigned which appear under his/her span of control within the Department's organizational chart.

IV. COMMANDING OFFICERS

A. Through the use of the established Chain of Command, he/she shall relay and enforce all General Orders, Special Orders, Directives, rules and regulations, memorandums, and operational policies or procedures set forth by the Chief of Police.

B. Within policy limits established by the Chief, he/she makes rules and regulations to govern individual Divisions.

C. Commanding Officers shall develop cooperation among members of his/her command.

D. Maintains discipline and consistency of operation among members of his/her command.

E. Provides training as necessary to ensure efficient performance to supervised personnel.

F. Assists in administrative and policy matters.

G. Provides efficient leadership.

H. Supervises, directs, and controls personnel within his/her command, insuring they execute their duties as prescribed without exceeding assigned responsibility or authority.

I. Enforces rules and orders within his/her command.

J. Commanding Officers will insure proper maintenance of the facilities occupied by their command.

K. Will ensure proper and efficient discharge of functional responsibilities.

L. Will ensure proper use and operation of equipment, supplies and materials under his/her command.

M. Commanding Officers will promptly initiate supervisory or administrative action when warranted.

N. Will provide for continuation of command or supervision in his/her absence.

O. Will act as liaison with other departmental divisions and with other agencies and departments.

P. Represent the Chief of Police at City Commission, committee, and law enforcement meetings when designated or within assigned duties.

Q. Make public appearances on behalf of the Helena Police Department.

V. SUPERVISORY OFFICERS

A. Supervisory Officers are responsible for the detailed inspection of all activities of members under his/her command.

B. Enforces rules and orders among assigned personnel.

C. Develops cooperation within the supervised group.

D. Provides leadership in carrying out assigned duties.

E. Coordinates the execution of assigned duties.

F. Provides training, as necessary, to ensure efficient performance.

G. Supervisory Officers will ensure the effective completion of assignments.

H. He/She is responsible to immediately notify the division commander of all incidents that may require the attention of command staff.

I. Makes media releases concerning incidents consistent with Helena Police Department SOP Volume 5 Chapter 3 Section M-Media Relations

J. Promptly notify Division Commanders/O.I.C.'s of disciplinary actions taken which involve their operations or personnel.

K. Command, supervise and direct operations with good judgment and in the best interests of the Helena Police Department, unless properly and specifically relieved by a higher-ranking member.

L. Determine the operational status and staffing necessary for the Division during tour of duty.

M. Complete and submit the designated reports, logs and documents before ending tour of duty or emergency.

N. Authorize redeployment of personnel and call-out of off-duty personnel in response to unusual or emergency situations.

O. Investigate and/or take disciplinary action to deal with misconduct observed, discovered or reported.

P. Represent the Department or Chief of Police at City Commission, committee, and law enforcement meetings when designated or assigned to do so.

Q. Make public appearances on behalf of the Helena Police Department as assigned.

VI. MEMBERS

A. The proper execution of duties.

B. The prevention and suppression of crime.

C. The enforcement of laws.

D. The arrest of offenders (as assignment dictates).

E. Maintenance of proper public relations.

F. Maintenance of discipline.

G. Adherence to rules, orders and procedures.

H. Promptly reporting, through the Chain of Command, developments that may negatively affect public or official relations.

I. Proper care and use of equipment, supplies and facilities.

J. Immediate notification to O.I.C. of all incidents as listed in VIII-A-1

K. Represent the Department or Chief of Police at City Commission, committee, and law enforcement meetings when designated or assigned to do so.

L. Make public appearances on behalf of the Helena Police Department as assigned.

VII. OFFICER IN CHARGE

A. The Officer in Charge (O.I.C.) of a Division, Unit, Section, Detail, Assignment or Special Assignment represents the Chief of Police as a Supervisory Officer by overseeing and coordinating ongoing operations between all divisions under his/her span of control.

B. As mentioned in previous sections of this Chapter, the responsibilities of an O.I.C. may be assumed by any member of any rank as duty assignment dictates and as assigned by the Chief of Police.

C. The primary duty of the O.I.C. tending to operations under his/her span of control is to ensure that policies and procedures are complied with, critical incidents, normal functions and activities are properly supervised, to supply proper support and back-up as necessary, and that communications between Divisions, Units, Sections and Details are enhanced.

D. The Patrol Division Shift O.I.C. shall:

1. Remain constantly available during tour of duty to direct and control field functions, duties, operations, and responsibilities under his/her span of control.

2. Monitor all Police Department operations to ensure knowledge of all major and pertinent ongoing activities.

3. Attend in person and supervise all incidents involving serious injuries or major property damage, any serious traffic accidents, an incident involving a member's use of force or deadly force where a party is injured, or any other situations deemed necessary to be in the best interest of the City of Helena, the specific member, or the Helena Police Department.

VIII. NOTIFICATION PROCESS

A. Order of Notification

1. Member

a) Will notify O.I.C.

2. Officer In Charge

a) Will notify Division Commander or designee.

3. Division Commander

a) Will notify Chief of Police or designee.

B. Incidents for Notification

1. All deaths of a suspicious nature i.e., homicide, suicide, accident, etc.

2. Use of force involving injury/death to any member of the department or other person.

3. All traffic accidents involving any member of the Department

4. Any incidents involving serious or major injuries to any party.

5. Any incidents involving major property damage.

6. All incidents involving any injury to any member or City, County, State or Federal officials or officers.

7. All disasters and emergencies, natural or man-made.

8. All incidents that could result in political consequences.

9. All criminal incidents involving city employees or members of the Department, on or off duty, that could reflect negatively upon the City or the Department.

Approval Date

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