Policy Rundown

Here is a brief overview of the content in each Department Manual. This is intended to provide a quick glance at policies and should not be regarded or cited as official policy. For official policies, please refer to the Department Manuals.

Department Manual I - General Provisions

• The executive power of the Police Commission and the Chief of Police to supervise and regulate the department and make rules and regulations.

• The establishment, organization, and distribution of the Department Manual, which consists of six manuals describing the department's objectives, principles, policies, procedures, rules, and functions.

• The numbering system and the definitions of terms used in the Department Manual.

• The legality, amendments, and maintenance of the contents of the Department Manual.

• The authorization, identification, distribution, and knowledge of department directives and informative publications.

• All department employees are expected to conform to the rules and provisions in the Department Manual and follow the guidance of the department directives. They are also expected to be familiar with the terms and definitions used in the Department Manual.

Department Manual II - Policy

• Officers and department employees should respect the constitutional rights of all persons, the sanctity of human life, the law and its enforcement, the diversity of people and cultures, and the dignity of individuals. They should not violate, abuse, discriminate or harass anyone based on their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

• Officers and department employees should demonstrate loyalty to the department and the city, integrity in all they say and do, honesty in their communication and reporting, and professionalism in their appearance and behavior. They should not engage in any conduct unbecoming an officer or employee, such as lying, cheating, stealing, falsifying records, using drugs or alcohol on duty, or associating with criminals.

• Officers and department employees should comply with all lawful orders from their superiors and the chain of command and accept discipline for any misconduct or violation of policy. They should not refuse to work, disobey orders, interfere with investigations, or retaliate against anyone who reports or complains about them.

• Officers and department employees should cooperate with any internal or external investigations relating to their work or conduct and provide truthful and complete information and testimony when required. They should not withhold, conceal, destroy, or tamper with evidence or information or refuse to testify when subpoenaed.

• Officers and department employees should prevent crime by patrolling their assigned areas, responding to calls for service, deterring criminal activity, apprehending offenders, recovering and returning property, and enforcing traffic laws. They should not use excessive or unnecessary force, violate anyone’s rights or privacy, or engage in illegal or unethical acts.

• Officers and department employees should provide courteous, respectful, and helpful service to the community and respond to their needs and concerns. They should not ignore, neglect, or delay requests for assistance, service, or information or act rudely, arrogantly, or indifferently towards anyone.

• Officers and department employees should release accurate and timely information to the news media and the public in accordance with the department’s public information policy. They should not disclose confidential or sensitive information that could compromise investigations, operations, personnel, or public safety or make false or misleading statements.

• Officers and department employees should use alternatives to physical arrest, booking, or continued detention whenever possible and appropriate, such as issuing citations, warnings, referrals, or diversion programs. They should not arrest anyone without probable cause or legal justification or detain anyone more protracted than necessary or authorized by law.

• Officers and department employees should conduct thorough and impartial preliminary and follow-up investigations of all crimes and incidents within their jurisdiction and scope of responsibility. They should prioritize handling calls for service based on their urgency and severity. They should not neglect, abandon or prematurely close any investigations without proper clearance or approval.

• Officers and department employees should handle civil disputes and domestic violence situations tactfully and sensitively. They should try to resolve conflicts peacefully and lawfully. They should not take sides, favor one party, or use force unless necessary to protect themselves or others from harm.

Department Manual III - Organization and Functions of the LSPD

• The general powers and duties of the Department and its members, as prescribed by the City Charter, state and federal law.

• The powers and duties of the Chief of Police, who is the chief administrative officer of the Department and has authority over all other employees except those under the control of the Board of Police Commissioners or the Executive Director.

• The procedure for appointing an acting Chief of Police in case of temporary absence or inability to act.

• The order of rank in the Department, as established by the Civil Service Commission and by the Department itself.

• The terminology used to define the functions, jurisdiction, special duties, line command, and staff responsibility of different organizational units within the Department.

• The Department's structure and composition consists of several offices, bureaus, groups, areas, divisions, sections, units, and details, each with its functions and responsibilities.

• The role and authority of the Police Commission, which is a civilian body that oversees the Department and appoints the Chief of Police and the Inspector General.

• The role and authority of the Office of the Chief of Police include several staff officers who assist the Chief in managing the Department’s operations, administration, personnel, budget, planning, training, communications, public affairs, and community relations.

• The role and authority of other offices within the Department, such as the Office of Special Operations, which handles specialized units such as SWAT, Air Support Division, Bomb Squad, and K9 Unit; the Office of Support Services, which provides logistical support such as records, property, fleet management, facilities management, and information technology; the Office of Operations, which oversees patrol operations in four geographical bureaus; and the Office of Constitutional Policing and Policy, which ensures compliance with constitutional standards and best practices in policing.

• The establishment of watches to provide 24-hour service to the public.

• The establishment of permanent boards and committees to handle various matters such as commendations, discipline, promotions, transfers, and grievances.

This Manual also provides general rules and guidelines for officers and department employees. Some examples are:

• Officers shall have the powers and duties of peace officers as defined by state law. They shall enforce the penal provisions of the Charter, City ordinances, and state and federal law. They shall suppress riots, disturbances, and breaches of peace. They shall pursue and arrest criminals fleeing or escaping from outside or inside the City. They shall execute and return all writs and processes issued by any court having jurisdiction over criminal cases. They shall bring all persons arrested by them before a judge for trial or examination.

• Officers shall be subject to the civil service provisions of the Charter. They shall be appointed, discharged, disciplined, transferred, and instructed by the Chief of Police or their designee. They shall conform to the Department's rules and their superiors' instructions. They shall expend funds in accordance with budget appropriations. They shall certify all expenditures to the chief accounting employee. They shall exercise further powers conferred upon them by the Board or law.

• Officers shall respect their order of rank. They shall obey lawful orders from their superiors. They shall not interfere with or usurp their subordinates’ authority or responsibility. They shall not assume command over other officers unless authorized by law or their superiors. They shall not delegate their authority or responsibility to others unless authorized by law or their superiors.

• Officers shall perform their functions according to their jurisdiction. They shall not perform functions outside their jurisdiction unless authorized by law or their superiors. They shall not encroach on or conflict with other units’ jurisdiction unless authorized by law or their superiors. They shall cooperate with other units within or outside the Department when necessary or appropriate.

• Officers shall perform their special duties as assigned by their superiors. They shall accomplish their objectives or purpose efficiently and effectively. They shall report on their activities and results to their superiors. They shall comply with policies and procedures affecting their particular duties.

Department Manual I - Management Rules and Procedures

• Supervision: This Manual defines different levels and types of supervision, such as staff officer, commanding officer, director, field commander, watch commander, supervisor, officer in charge, line supervision, and functional supervision. It also describes the duties and responsibilities of supervisors, such as planning, organizing, directing, training, guiding, evaluating, reporting, and disciplining subordinates. It also explains the terms and procedures for succession of command, recognition of command, brevet ranks, senior officer determination, and seniority.

• Command posts: The document explains the purpose and functions of different command posts, such as the department command post, the field command post, the field command post division, and the department operations center. It also describes the activation and deactivation of the department operations center under the emergency operations organization.

• General management procedures: The document covers various topics related to general management procedures, such as fleet safety programs, traffic collisions involving department vehicles or employees, employee-involved traffic collision point system criteria, motorized police escorts, staff research, change of watch, requests for undercover driver licenses, designating acting staff and command officers, display of flags, saluting regulations, department cadet program and memorandum of agreement procedures. It provides definitions, responsibilities, and guidelines for each topic.

• Planning and accounting: The document covers topics related to planning and accounting, such as non-budgeted temporary specialized units, the department budget, budget guide, budget definitions, budget duties of commanding officers, budget submissions and resubmissions, grant fund applications, and establishment of checking accounts. It provides definitions, responsibilities, and guidelines for each topic.

• Non-budgetary funds: The document covers topics related to non-budgetary funds, such as fund committees, deviation from established fund committee membership, funds control committees, bookkeeping systems, audits of non-budgetary department funds, income tax returns, and fund expenditures. It provides definitions, responsibilities, and guidelines for each topic.

• Records and reports: The document covers topics related to records and reports, such as the confidential nature of department records and information, the release of police records information and guidelines and restrictions for releasing police record information. It provides definitions, responsibilities, and guidelines for each topic.