JOB DESCRIPTION-THE NIGHT COMMANDER Section 1. One of the officers of the police force is assigned as Night Commander, which means that he is in charge of the operations and of any necessary administration of the force during the hours of the 3d Relief. Assignment of Night Commanders usually is made according to a rotating schedule from among those officers who are available for such duty. Section 2. The Night Commander is directly responsible to the Executive Officer for carrying out the orders and policies of the Chief, in accordance with the routines laid down and the instructions received, and for the efficient transaction of police force business during the hours in which he has control. Section 3. He reports daily to the Executive Officer in writing through the medium of the Night Record, and in person as the occasion offers. He is a member of the Chief's staff, and attends all police force staff meetings. Section 4. The Night Commander inspects and regulates all activities of the police force occurring in his relief. He is responsible for the proper functioning and operation of the police force headquarters, communications, files and records, patrol system, traffic control, investigations, transportation and equipment; for the maintenance of proper vigilance and good discipline; for the furnishing of efficient, courteous service to the public; and for the stable guidance and control of the affairs of the police force in all its branches. Section 5. As the pressure of his duties allows, he makes frequent inspections of the park system and observes the performance of police patrols. The performance of duty by patrol supervisors is constantly checked, and any necessary corrective measures are taken to keep the efficiency of supervision at a high level. Section 6. When activities are scheduled in the parks during his relief, he ensures that adequate and proper police coverage is furnished. Those activities which involve the presence or movement of large aggregations of people are taken in charge by the Night Commander personally. Section 7. He is personally, continually alert for breaches of discipline occurring in his relief, and allows no slackness in his subordinates. He is particularly concerned with the maintenance of a businesslike atmosphere and proper decorum in the headquarters offices. Section 8. Before going off duty he reviews all reports submitted by personnel working in his relief, with special attention to accuracy, completeness, and proper form. He initials those found satisfactory, and requires the correction of any found lacking. Section 9. Suggestions and appraisals relative to the night operations of the various divisions of the department are made to the Executive Officer. However, the Night Commander has full authority during his relief to order and direct special handling of any and all matters relative to current operations and if such procedures are contrary to policy or out of the usual routine, he is expected to be aware of the facts, to note them in the Night Record, and to be prepared to justify the deviations. Section 10. In a word, the function of the Night Commander is to be in charge and responsible for the police force during the hours of the 3d Relief. Although his duties are executive in nature, the Night Commander is a sworn enforcement officer, and he is charged with the performance of the basic duties of park policemen. Section 11. When all other officers senior to himself are absent from duty, the Night Commander is relieved from duty with the 3d Relief and acts. as Chief. JOB DESCRIPTION-THE MIDNIGHT COMMANDER Section 1. Another of the officers of the police force is assigned-usually according to a rotating roster to the post of Midnight Commander. Like the Night Commander, the Midnight Commander is in full charge and control of the police force during the hours of his relief, subject, of course, to the orders of the Chief and of the Executive Officer. Section 2. The Midnight Commander is directly responsible to the Executive Officer (who represents the Chief) for carrying out orders and implementing the policies of the Chief; for operating in accordance with instructions received and along the lines of the routines laid down; and for the transaction of the business of the police force with dispatch and efficiency during the hours of the 1st Relief. Section 3. As the occasion allows, he reports in person to the Executive Officer, and makes daily reports in writing in the Night Record. The Midnight Commander is a member of the Chief's staff, and is required to attend all staff meetings called by the Chief. Section 4. Being in full charge and control of all activities of the police force during the 1st Relief, the Midnight Commander inspects and regulates all phases of operations. He is responsible for the proper functioning of the midnight detachments of all divisions, and is especially charged with maintaining a high standard of vigilance and alertness among all those who perform duty in his relief. Section 5. The Midnight Commander is personally responsible for the establishment of suitable controls to ensure a satisfactory businesslike atmosphere in the headquarters offices, to ensure proper use of the police communications, to assure faithful observance of the uniform and personal appearance regulations, and to prevent slackness and lack of discipline from developing among his men. Section 6. The furnishing of prompt, efficient, courteous service to the public is a prime aim of the police force during those early hours when the usual police activities of emergency and enforcement nature are at a standstill. The Mid night Commander has an opportunity to develop the spirit of public service to a high degree among his men. Section 7. He makes frequent inspections of the park system, and observes the efficiency of patrols. He gives attention to the adequacy of patrol supervision. He makes it a point to go personally to any scene where unusual events are occurring, and when his personal direction is needed, takes charge at the scene. Section 8. The Midnight Commander sets a good example for the men in his relief with regard to careful obedience of park police rules and regulations, and is alert to detect and correct the disciplinary deviations of his subordinates. Section 9. The effectiveness of the operations of the various divisions of the police force represented in his relief is observed by the Midnight Commander, and the results of his appraisals are communicated periodically to the Executive Officer. Section 10. Like the Night Commander, the Midnight Commander has full authority at his discretion to order and direct any special handling needed of any matter encountered in current operations. However, when such handling is contrary to policy, or out of the usual routine, he is expected to be aware of it, to note it in the Night Record, and to be prepared to justify his action. Section 11. The Midnight Commander is in complete charge and is entirely responsible for the operations of the police force during the 1st Relief. His duties are executive in nature, but he is also a sworn enforcement officer, and is charged with the performance of the basic duties of park policemen. Section 12. At such times as the Midnight Commander finds himself the senior officer of the police force available for duty, he is relieved of duty with the 1st Relief and acts as Chief. Section 13. The reports submitted by his subordinates during his relief are reviewed by the Midnight Commander. Those found satisfactory are initialed by him and those needing correction are returned to the authors. JOB DESCRIPTION-RELIEF COMMANDER Section 1. Another senior officer of the police force is assigned to act in the role of Relief Commander and as such will substitute for Assistant Executive Officer, Night and Midnight Commanders during their absence, i. e., on their days off, while on leave or on sick report. Likewise, while substituting for the Night and Midnight Commanders, he is in full charge and control of the police force during the hours of his relief, subject, of course, to the orders of the Chief and of the Executive Officer. Section 2. As Relief Commander it will be his responsibility to function in accordance with the duties defined heretofore for the respective Commanders for whom he is substituting. Section 3. At such time as the Relief Commander finds himself the senior officer of the police force available for duty, he is relieved of duty with the Relief and acts as Chief. |