As used in these rules and regulations, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHAIN OF COMMAND
The unbroken line of authority extending from the Chief of Police
through a single subordinate at each level of command down to the level of
execution and vice versa.
DAYS OFF
Those days, determined by the Chief of Police, on which a given member
is excused from duty.
DETAIL
A temporary assignment of personnel for a specialized activity.
DETECTIVE
A police officer assigned to conduct criminal investigations while
in civilian clothing.
EMPLOYEE
A civilian employee of the Department.
GENERAL ORDERS
Written directives issued by the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief or
Acting Chief. General orders remain in full force and effect until amended,
superseded or canceled by the Chief of Police. Department "general orders"
establish policy, procedure or regulations governing matters which affect
the entire Department or two or more subordinate units. They are the most
authoritative directive issued in the Department and may be used to amend,
supersede or cancel any other orders.
[Amended 2-25-1999 by Ord. No. 2-1999]
HEADQUARTERS
The police building that houses the headquarters staff and members
of this Department.
INCOMPETENCE
Incapable of satisfactory performance of police duties.
INSUBORDINATION
Failure or deliberate refusal of any member or employee to obey a
lawful order given by a superior officer; ridiculing a superior officer or
his order, whether in or out of his presence; directing disrespectful, mutinous,
insolent or abusive language toward a supervising officer.
LAWFUL ORDER
Any written or oral directive issued by a superior officer to any
subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of police duty which is
not in violation of the law, ordinance or any Department rule or regulation.
MEMBER
Any duly appointed police officer of the Department.
MEMORANDA
Information bulletins which are primarily designed to inform and,
secondarily, to direct issues at Department levels. Such "memoranda" are not
official orders but express the thinking of the issuing authority on the subject
under consideration.
MILITARY LEAVE
The period of time during which an officer is excused from duty by
reason of serving in the Armed Forces of the United States in an active capacity
as provided by law.
NEGLECT OF DUTY
Failure to give suitable attention to the performance of duty. Examples
include but are not limited to failure to take appropriate action on the occasion
of a crime, disorder or other act or condition deserving police attention;
absence without leave; failure to report to duty at the time and place designated;
unauthorized absence from an assigned sector during tour of duty; failure
to perform duties or comply with provisions prescribed in the Police Manual;
and failure to conform to the Department operating procedures.
OFF DUTY
The status of a member during the period he is free from the performance
of specified duties; also may be known as "rest period," "day off" or "annual
leave."
OFFICIAL CHANNELS
Through the hands of the superior officers in the chain of command.
ON DUTY
The status of a member during the period of the day when he is actively
engaged in the performance of his duties. Technically, a police officer is
subject to call at all times.
ORDER
Any written or oral directive issued by a superior officer to any
subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of police duty.
PERSONNEL ORDER
Appointment, assignment or any other status change of personnel within
the Department accomplished by Department "personnel orders" issued by the
Chief of Police.
POLICE MANUAL
The reference guide specifying the rules and regulations governing
the conduct of personnel and the operation of the Department, as well as specifying
Department policies and procedures. Department orders will be incorporated
into the "Police Manual" after a provisional period of operation. This manual
is issued by authority of the Chief of Police and carries the weight of a
general order.
PROCEDURE
The official method of dealing with any given situation prescribed
by the Chief's order or procedural guide.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Department legislation consisting of detailed directives binding
members and employees of all ranks in terms of authority, responsibility and
conduct.
SECTION
A functional unit subordinate to a division or under the immediate
direction of the Chief of Police. It may be commanded by any rank, depending
on its size and the nature and importance of its function.
SENIORITY
In the Department, established first by rank and second by time served
in rank, whether on a regular, assigned or temporary basis. In situations
requiring decision or control where the officers are of equal rank, the senior
will make the decision and exercise control unless otherwise directed by a
higher ranking command or supervisory officer.
SHIFT
An eight-hour tour of duty.
SICK LEAVE
The period of time during which an officer is excused from active
duty by reason of illness or injury.
SPECIAL DUTY
Police service the nature of which requires that the member be excused
from the performance of his regular duties.
SPECIAL ORDERS
Written directives issued by the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief or
Acting Chief. They specify instructions governing particular situations. Special
orders are automatically canceled when their objectives are achieved.
[Amended 2-25-1999 by Ord. No. 2-1999]
SUPERVISORY OFFICER
A member of the Department assigned to a position requiring the exercise
of immediate supervision over the activities of other members and employees.
TOUR OF DUTY
The number of days of work on a given shift during which an individual
member is on duty.
TRAINING BULLETIN
A bulletin published and designed to keep officers of the Department
abreast of current police techniques and procedures. The bulletins and their
presentation act as a continuous training program and as a stimulus for further
study. The information contained therein constitutes official Department policy
on the subject matter under consideration in the absence of other instruction
to the contrary.