100.00 PURPOSE

100.01 Authority, Organizational Structure, Chain of Command

100.02 Echelons of Command

100.03 Order of Succession

100.04 Organizational Commander

100.05 Duty Commander

100.06 Command Presence for Lieutenants

100.07 Morning Reports

100.08 Assignment of Personnel

100.09 Assessment of Personnel Allocation

101.00 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE

101.01 Office of the First Assistant Chief of Police

101.02 Office of the Chief of Staff

101.03 Financial & Contract Management Division

101.04 Criminal Law & Police Unit

102.00 INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU

103.00 PATROL BUREAU

103.01 Patrol Divisions

104.00 STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT BUREAU

105.00 ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU

105.01 Caruth Police Institute (CPI)

106.00 SUPPORT BUREAU

107.00 DIRECTORY OF FACILITIES

107.01 Directory of Major Local Hospitals

The purpose of this policy is to describe the jurisdiction and organization of the police department, outline its rank structure, and assign responsibilities, functions, and duties.

A. Authority (Accred)

1. Dallas City Chapter XII Section 1, authorizes the creation of the Dallas Police Department to be headed by a Chief of Police. The Chief of Police is responsible for directing all activities of the department. This direction is accomplished through written and oral orders as well as by personal leadership. Written orders take the form of general orders, standard operating procedure, and other directives as needed.

2. As the Chief executive of the department, the Chief of Police has full authority and responsibility for the management, direction and control of the operation and administration of the department.

B. Agency Jurisdiction (Accred)

1. The jurisdiction of the Dallas Police Department is limited to inside the city limits of the city within certain exceptions and procedures identified in General Orders.

2. Police Officers appointed by the city have all the authority granted to them by the State of Texas as Peace Officers. Appointed officers have the responsibility to act within the law, preserve order, arrest offenders, and protect the residents and visitors to our city.

3. Officers have arrest authority anywhere within the State of Texas; however, the exercise of that authority will be limited when outside the city limits to those situations involving a felony or the use of violence or threatened use of violence against a person, and then only to the extent that the officer is able to safely intervene. When off- duty or out of our primary jurisdiction, officers seldom have appropriate equipment, communications, or the assistance needed to properly intervene in dangerous situations. Intervention in these cases may be resolved by calling appropriate authorities and remaining on scene to provide witness information. An official map of the city limits will be maintained in each patrol briefing room.

4. Officers have authority to enforce the law on property owned by the city but not outside the city limits.

5.   Officers have authority to pursue offenders outside the city limits who have committed violations inside the city pursuant to the department’s pursuit policy, when approved per G.O. 301.08. When investigating a crime that occurred inside the city, officer may utilize their authority to conduct investigations; including interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects, executing search and arrest warrants, and making lawful arrests without warrants anywhere in the State of Texas.

6. Officers have authority to enforce the law in another jurisdiction pursuant to a properly executed mutual aid agreement.

7. While officers have full authority to make arrests, issue summonses, and use force in enforcing the law, officers are also expected to use discretion and common sense in the application of this authority. Officers should always seek the least intrusive level of intervention appropriate to preserve the peace and protect public safety.

C. License and Oath of Office Required (Accred)

1. Employees must hold a Texas Peace Officer license before performing law enforcement duties.

2. Article XVI, Section 1, of the Texas Constitution requires that all sworn officers will swear or affirm any oath required by state law or city ordinance before assuming law enforcement duties. All sworn officers shall abide by the Law Enforcement Officer’s Code of Ethics. A copy of the law enforcement Code of Ethics is provided to each sworn officer.

3. Such oath shall be made public and shall be witnessed by the city secretary or other notary who shall witness and record it on the form approved by the department. The oath shall be filed in the officer’s personnel file.

Echelons of command below the Office of the Chief of Police are established throughout the Department by grade of the sworn officer or non-sworn employee appointed or delegated to command, direct, manage, or supervise a specific function. Each employee will be accountable for the use of this authority while carrying out the Department’s mission.  Assistant Chiefs and Assistant Directors scope of command shall be directed by the Chief of Police.

100.03 Order of Succession 

The Chief of Police shall designate the order of succession of the assistant chiefs, who shall perform the duties of the chief in the event of the chief’s disability, absence from the city, or inability to perform duties from any other cause. Should the Chief of Police become incapacitated through illness, death, or for any other reason is absent from the city, command of the Department will be assumed in this order of succession:

Patrol and Administrative Operations Commander 

Investigations and Special Operations Commander 

Patrol Bureau Commander 

Tactical and Special Ops Bureau Commander 

Investigations Bureau Commander 

Administrative Bureau Commander 

Community Engagement & Operations Bureau Commander 

Chief of Staff

Should every Commander listed above be unable to assume command of the Department, the order of succession will continue through the rank of Deputy Chief, by seniority in that rank.  If seniority in a particular rank is equal, seniority in the previously held rank will be the determining factor.

The term “Organizational Commander,” as used throughout the General Orders, refers to all Chief Officers/Directors and to any sworn Commander or Civilian Manager who commands/manages an organizational level assigned its own organizational number.

A. Requirements

1. The Duty Commander is a command level responsibility that includes Majors, Deputy Chiefs, and Assistant Chiefs.

2. The Duty Commander assignment for ‘non-holiday’ weekends runs from Friday at 5:00 p.m. and concludes the following Monday at 8:00 a.m. The Duty Commander will be present in the field from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday nights, and will be on call back status during the remainder of their Duty Commander schedule. Major events on Mondays will be handled by the Patrol Group Deputy Chiefs. Patrol Division Majors will then assume Duty Command presence on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during their normal assigned duty hours. The assignment for weekends with an attached City holiday (ie. M. L. King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day (all of which are recognized on Mondays) and Thanksgiving Day and the Day After Thanksgiving (which are on Thursday and Friday) will be tied in with that week’s Duty Commander assignment.

The following holidays when not occurring on a Monday or Friday will be tied in with the nearest weekend Duty Commander assignment.

New Year’s Day Fourth of July Christmas Day

• The hours for New Year’s Day Duty Commander assignment are: December 31st at 7:00 p.m. to January 1st at 3:00 a.m.

• The hours for Fourth of July are 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

These two holidays require the Duty Commander to be present in the field. The other seven City holidays, the Duty Commander will be on call only. Commanders may schedule their regular days off at the completion of their weekly tour of duty.

3. Notification of major incidents during weekday administrative hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) will be made to the affected Group Commanders, Bureau Commanders, Executive Assistant Chiefs, and the Office of the Chief of Police.

4. The Duty Commander roster will be prepared by the Planning Unit and will be maintained in the Communications Group. Alterations to the roster by commanders wishing to trade weeks will be accomplished via memo to the Office of the Chief, with information copies sent to the Communications Group and the Planning Unit. If a Duty Commander is unable to perform their Duty Command on any given scheduled day, it will be their responsibility to find a replacement and notify the Communications Group and the Planning Unit of the changes.

B. Incidents Requiring Duty Commander Notification

1. Incidents briefed to the Duty Commander but not warranting a response will be summarized by the Communications Group in a Command Staff notification via e-mail.

2. Types of incidents which require notification of the Duty Commander, but not necessarily requiring a response at the scene, may include but are not limited to:

a. Barricaded persons.

b. Robberies resulting in substantial loss or serious bodily injury.

c. Incidents involving prominent citizens and officials.

d. A member of the Department is arrested.

e. A member of the Department dies from natural causes.

C. Incidents Requiring Duty Commander Response

1. The Duty Commander will respond to major or unusual incidents warranting his or her presence. He or she will also determine whether to make immediate notification to the Assistant City Manager, Chief of Police, Executive Assistant Chiefs, Bureau Commander, or any Group Commander.

a. A major incident is defined as any incident of such magnitude as to require additional administrative or command action, or which may attract significant media attention.

b. Types of incidents requiring Duty Commander field presence:

i. The line-of-duty death or any death from off-duty related activities of a member of the Department.

ii. Any member of the Department is admitted to the hospital for treatment for line-of-duty injuries.

iii. Mobilization of a significant number of officers to handle an incident.

iv. Disasters causing extensive damage and/or loss of life.

v. Police-involved shootings where injury occurs.

vi. Any incident where a member of the Department is involved in the death or serious injury of a citizen to include injuries resulting from police chases.

vii. Incidents that, in the Duty Commander’s opinion, are of such importance as to warrant his or her response. This includes incidents likely to draw widespread media attention.

viii. Situations requiring a special command function (i.e., Crimes Against Persons, homicide/ shooting investigations, Internal Affairs Division investigations, etc.) will remain in effect, but Duty Commanders will receive briefings and will coordinate the response to media inquiries.

c. Types of incidents requiring the Duty Commander to immediately contact the affected Bureau, Executive Assistant Chiefs, and the Chief of Police or their designee include:

i. Police involved shootings, as they occur.

ii. Police officers killed in the line-of-duty. (Other injuries will be included in the morning report.)

iii. Mobilization of a significant number of officers to handle an incident.

d. Types of incidents requiring the Duty Commander to immediately contact the Assistant City Manager:

i. Police officers killed in the line-of-duty. (Other injuries will be included in the morning report.)

ii. Mobilization of a significant number of officers to handle an incident.

2. Incidents warranting a Duty Commander response, but not immediately briefed to the Chief of Police, will be briefed to the Office of the Chief by 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, in person, by telephone, or email.

A. Requirements

1. The Command Presence assignment is a command responsibility for all Lieutenants.

2. Two Command Presence Lieutenants will work each weekend and will report to the Duty Commander assigned during the same weekend. Their primary responsibility will be to assist the Duty Commander with notifications, field presence, and other duties.

3. Command Presence Lieutenants will be present in the field from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday nights.

4. During the work week of their command presence, and with their supervisor’s assistance and approval, lieutenants will take reasonable steps to adjust their work schedule to reduce or avoid overtime expenditure.

5. Notification of major incidents during the Command Presence hours will be made to the affected Lieutenants assigned to Command Presence.

6. Command Presence assignments will be prepared by the Planning Unit based on seniority. The Planning Unit will distribute a copy of the schedule to the Communications Group, and the Patrol Assistant Chief.

7. Alterations to the roster by Lieutenants wishing to trade weekends will be accomplished via memo to the Patrol Assistant Chief, with information copies sent to the Communications Group and the Planning Unit. If a lieutenant is unable to perform their Command Presence assignment on any given scheduled day, it will be their responsibility to find a replacement and notify the Patrol Bureau Commander where the Command Presence is scheduled, the Communications Group and the Planning Unit of the changes.

B. Incidents Requiring Command Presence Response

1. During Command Presence, the lieutenant assigned will respond to major or unusual incidents warranting his or her presence, and immediately contact the Duty Commander.

a. A major incident is defined as any incident of such magnitude as to require administrative or command action, or which may attract media attention.

b. Types of incidents requiring lieutenants assigned to Command Presence field presence:

i. Police officers killed in the line of duty. (Other injuries will be included in the morning report.)

ii. Police-involved shootings where injury occurs.

iii. Police-involved shootings, as they occur.

iv. Mobilization of a significant number of officers to handle an incident.

v. Any member of the Department is admitted to the hospital for treatment for line-of-duty injuries.

vi. Disasters causing extensive damage and/or loss of life.

vii. Any incident where a member of the Department is involved in the death or serious injury of a citizen to include injuries resulting from police chases.

viii. Incidents that, in the lieutenant’s opinion, are of such importance as to warrant his or her response. This includes incidents likely to draw widespread media attention.

ix. Situations requiring a special command function (i.e., Crimes Against Persons, homicide/ shooting investigations, Internal Affairs Division investigations, etc.).

x. Barricaded persons.

xi. Robberies resulting in substantial loss or serious bodily injury.

xii. Incidents involving prominent citizens and officials.

xiii. A member of the Department is arrested.

xiv. A member of the Department dies from natural causes.

A. Officers in the field will ensure that a supervisor is informed of a major incident if one is not present at the scene. Officers assigned to the call of a major incident are responsible for drafting an entry for their divisional Morning Report.

B. The field supervisor will coordinate with the Communications Group to ensure that the Duty Commander is notified of incidents listed that require notification or response of the Duty Commander.

C. The First Watch for each patrol station will: Input the Morning Report information into the Morning Report form located in N:\Administrative Reports\Morning Report, by 7:45 a.m. each day.

A. The mission of the Police Department to provide for public safety on a 24-hour, 7 days a week basis requires that the needs of the Department and the community served will take precedence in regard to personnel assignments. The Chief of Police or their designee may take into consideration these special needs for the assignment of personnel. All assignments are the prerogative of the Chief of Police. For the purposes of General Order 407.00, the word “transfer” refers to and means a “reassignment” as defined in Section 34-13 of the Personnel Rules, which states that “A department director may reassign positions and staff within a department to provide for the best interest of the employee or the department. A reassignment is not grievable.”

B. No employee, sworn or non-sworn, has a property right to a specific assignment within the Department. This transfer procedure is designed to allow individual growth and increased job knowledge of employees.

A. The Patrol Bureau will complete a review on an as needed basis, but not less than every two years, to assign newly hired sworn employees to the areas that show need as determined by the current guidelines to meet the best interest of the community and Department.

B. Non-Patrol Bureaus will allocate personnel according to a Workload Assessment that will be conducted biannually by the Division Commanders. This assessment should include at a minimum the following:

1. Identification of workload according to shifts.

2. The number of incidents / tasks handled during a specific period,

3. The average time required to handle the incident or complete the task,

4. A calculation of the average percent of time that should be available to handle incidents/tasks during a specific period.

C. The Workload Assessment should be supported with calculations used, factors considered, and citation source data. Source documents need not accompany assessments but should be available if requested.

D. The assessment should be completed and forwarded to the Division Commander of Personnel by the final sworn pay period of May on even numbered years.

E. The Personnel Division will conduct a review of the Division Assessments and compile the assessments to make comparisons of workload analysis before forwarding to the Executive Command Staff.

F. The Division Commander of Personnel will forward the analysis to the Executive Command Staff for review and possible action.