GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: WATCH COMMANDERS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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WATCH COMMANDERS
421.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the designation of a Watch Commander and, as needed, an acting Watch Commander for each shift.
421.2 POLICY
Each shift will be directed by a Watch Commander capable of making decisions and managing in a manner consistent with the mission of the Lincoln Police Department. To accomplish this, a Lieutenant shall be designated as the Watch Commander for each shift.
421.3 DESIGNATION AS ACTING WATCH COMMANDER
With prior authorization from the Deputy Chief of Police, generally when a Lieutenant is unavailable for duty as Watch Commander, a qualified lower-ranking member shall be designated as acting Watch Commander in accordance with the terms of applicable memorandums of understanding and the Temporary Supervisors subsection of the Supervision Staffing Levels Policy.
421.4 WATCH COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Watch Commander shall have overall responsibility and accountability for the operation of this department on an assigned shift. Duties may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Ensuring at least one uniformed patrol supervisor is deployed during each shift, in addition to the Watch Commander.
(b) Ensuring sufficient members are on-duty to accomplish the mission of the Lincoln Police Department.
(c) Providing command-level oversight of major crime scenes, tactical situations or disasters.
(d) Establishing service-level priorities.
(e) Providing job-related training and guidance to subordinates.
(f) Acquiring outside resources or providing assistance to other agencies, when applicable.
(g) Handling service inquiries or complaints from the public.
(h) Managing risk exposure.
(i) Ensuring the security of all department facilities.
(j) Ensuring the proper equipment and vehicles are available for member use.
(k) Representing the Department at community functions.
(l) Serving as a temporary agency supervisor when so designated.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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