Chapter 7
Systems for Supervision, Accountability, Organizational Learning, Remediation, and Discipline
Finding 53
MPD personnel are often not reading or understanding new standard operating procedures or Code of Conduct standards when they are disseminated via email.
MPD should communicate with and train all department personnel in roll call sessions immediately after dissemination of new standard operating procedure or Code of Conduct standards beyond their acknowledgement of such policies as sent by the Department via email.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 030.20 – Written Directives states that “Roll Call information shall include written department directives, as well as work location information. This information shall be kept on the ‘roll call board’ at all work locations for a minimum of 72 hours.” This information includes updates to SOP’s and Code of Conduct standards. SOP 030 also specifies Commanding Officer’s responsibilities to ensure roll call information is communicated to all members at their work location and department members are responsible for familiarizing themselves with all posted roll call information. In addition, the department’s Topic Acknowledgement system also requires department members to electronically acknowledge they have read, understand, and received new and revised department policies including SOP 440 EIP. In addition, the department audits member’s acknowledgements of policies.
* Email or Phone:
Announcements need to be made when there are new SOPs so that officers know and are actively encouraged to read them.
MPD could even run through highlights of new SOPs in a PHYSICAL announcement. But then it also needs to be provided via email and on the board.