CHAIN OF COMMAND

CHAIN OF COMMAND

The chain of command is the relationship of juniors and seniors within an organization. An effective chain of command is essential for Sheriff's Office to carry out its assigned mission.  Good leadership supports an effective chain of command and vice versa; neither works well without the other. The chain of command serves several purposes in the accomplishment of the Sheriff’s Office mission. It defines responsibilities and identifies accountability. Properly used, it provides direction and smooth communications and ensures efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility requires that an individual be accountable for the performance of assigned tasks within an organization. By defining responsibilities, the chain of command lets its personnel know what their responsibilities are and what they are expected to do. The Sheriff expects its personnel to set good examples for their peers and subordinates by doing their jobs quickly, correctly, and neatly. The Sheriff expects its personnel to instill a sense of pride in others to improve the efficiency of the command.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Every person in a chain of command is accountable to someone for performance and personal actions. Accountability is the ability of personnel to report, explain, or justify every action taken. They do this through two types of accountability; performance accountability and professional growth accountability.

• Performance accountability means you must answer to seniors in the chain of command for the way in which you carry out an assigned task or the lack there of.

• Professional growth accountability means you must answer to senior personnel for your personal behavior and professional appearance or the  lack there of.

DIRECTION

The chain of command provides direction in the assignment of duties. All personnel of the chain of command know their specific duties. Seniors assign these duties, and juniors should carry them out to the best of their ability.

COMMUNICATION

The chain of command provides for smooth, rapid, and effective communication. Each person in the chain of command needs to clearly understand his/her status within that chain. Seniors should pass information down the chain of command about matters that may affect juniors. Juniors should pass information up the chain of command about problems that exist. In this way, communication flows in both directions.

"The People First and Foremost"