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SOP-36 Acting Watch CommanderPolice Services Division SOP-36 July 8, 2021 SUBJECT: Acting Watch Commander / Acting Sergeant PURPOSE: To establish the qualification as well as testing process for those who desire to be Acting Watch Commander or Acting Sergeants. 1. Acting Watch Commander (AWC) – An Acting Watch Commander is synonymous of the term used in the Lexipol manual, Acting Shift Supervisor, and is someone who has shown proficiency in performing the duties in the place of a Sergeant assigned to Patrol or a Captain assigned to Fire. All compensation is covered in the current RPPSOA MOA. a. Minimum qualifications for application i. Three years of continuous full time sworn status as a peace officer ii. Current Rohnert Park DPS Fire Engineer b. Process All candidates will go through a thorough testing process and be evaluated based on an established rating process. i. Tactical (simulation) fire and/or police scenario ii. Oral board interview iii. Interview with the Chief c. Selection i. The candidate who performs in the process at an acceptable level and achieves a passing score, and passes all portions of the rating process, will be selected as an AWC. ii. An AWC will be assigned a Mentor Sergeant to go over the supervisory checklist to familiarize the new AWC to tasks specific to the position. iii. Generally, an AWC will not be removed from a specialty position to fill a supervisory opening in the department for longer than a pay period. d. Assignment i. Once selected, the AWC will be allowed to sign up for open Sergeant shifts pursuant to Lexipol Policy 207 upon completing the BOLD tasks on the checklist. e. Insignia i. AWC’s will be identified by displaying “Corporal” stripes on the sleeves of their patrol uniform and/or outer most garment. Refer to the Uniform Manual for specifics. 2. Acting Sergeant – An Acting Sergeant is someone who has shown proficiency in performing the duties under the supervision of a Sergeant or Lieutenant, and will be assigned to Patrol. All compensation is covered in the current RPPSOA MOA. a. Minimum qualifications for application i. Three years of continuous full time sworn status as a peace officer b. Process All candidates will go through an interview process and evaluated based on an established rating process. i. Oral board interview ii. Interview with the Chief c. Selection i. The candidate who performs in the process at an acceptable level and achieves a recommendation of the chief, will be selected as an Acting Sergeant. ii. An Acting Sergeant will be assigned to a shift and a Mentor Sergeant to go over the supervisory checklist to familiarize the Acting Sergeant to tasks specific to the position. d. Assignment i. The PSO will operate as the supervisor for their assigned shift and be responsible for all duties of a Sergeant for that team. ii. The assigned mentor Lieutenant will oversee the daily activities of the Acting Sergeant to develop him or her within that role. iii. Upon first assignment to the position of Acting Sergeant, the mentor Lieutenant will issue the PSO the New Sergeant/Acting Watch Commander Checklist to use in his or her development. iv. Similar to a Field Training Program, the mentor Lieutenant will provide training and development allowing the Acting Sergeant the opportunity to work towards handling more of the roles and responsibilities of a Sergeant on his or her own as they demonstrate proficiency. v. In addition to development in the daily responsibilities of a Sergeant, the mentor Lieutenant will provide training and development for the Acting Sergeant on managing significant incidents, using the Incident Command System, and handling personnel matters. vi. The Acting Sergeant will work under the direct supervision of his or her mentor Lieutenant. In the mentor Lieutenant’s absence, the Acting Sergeant will work under the supervision of a Deputy Chief, another Lieutenant, or a Sergeant until they meet the following requirements. 1. Have obtained the rank of Fire Engineer. 2. Have completed the New Sergeant/Acting Watch Commander Checklist, and receive approval by his or her mentor Lieutenant and the Deputy Chief; and, 3. Successfully demonstrate the ability to manage a Police and Fire incident scenario using a department simulator. e. Completion of Acting Sergeant Development Program i. At the end of the PSO’s assignment as an Acting Sergeant the PSO may obtain the position of Acting Watch Commander for the agency under the following guidelines: ii. Meet the requirements listed in Section, 2.d.vi; and, iii. Be appointed by the Director of Public Safety.