502 Organization of the General Orders Manual (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER:
GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 502
SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION:
Organization of the General Orders
Manual
May 15, 2008 Blue
I. PURPOSE
To provide members of the Department with written documentation regarding
various aspects of Department functions and procedures. To keep written
documentation regarding Department procedures, rules and policies in a format
that aids the employee in gathering information about how to accomplish a certain
task in their day to day activities.
II. POLICY
Clear written documentation regarding certain aspects of the police function is
necessary. The Department will provide each member with a General Order
manual containing procedures, policies and rules to aid them in carrying out their
duties.
III. PROCEDURE
A. The Department General Orders Manual is divided into sections based on
a risk/frequency analysis of the involved activity.
1. High risk activities have a high probability of ending up in adverse
consequence such as injury, lawsuit, or organizational
embarrassment if not handled appropriately.
2. Low risk activities have a low probability of ending up in adverse
consequence.
3. High frequency activities are those that a member does all the time
and thus through experience knows how to handle the activity
appropriately.
4. Low frequency activities are those that a member does rarely (if at
all) and thus must rely on training or other resources to know how
to handle appropriately.
B. Each section of the General Orders Manual has a number series and color-
code assigned to it. The order assigned to the General Orders within a
section of the Manual does not indicate any ranking or order of
importance.
1. 100 series; color-coded RED
General Orders that address high-risk, low-frequency activities
with little to no discretionary time available to review procedures
and where the consequences are severe if the activity or incident is
handled improperly.
2. 200 series; color-coded ORANGE
General Orders that address high-risk, moderate-frequency
activities with only limited discretionary time available to review
procedures and where the consequences are potentially severe if
the activity or incident is handled improperly.
3. 300 series; color-coded YELLOW
General Orders that address moderate-risk activities with some
discretionary time available to review procedures.
4. 400 series; color-coded GREEN
General Orders that address low-risk or administrative activities
with ample discretionary time available to review procedures.
5. 500 series; color-coded BLUE
General Orders that address the administration or the general rules
and regulations of the Department.
C. Generally, each individual General Order will contain three basic
elements.
1. Purpose
A general statement used to specify the purpose of a particular
policy or procedure.
2. Policy
A statement, in broad terms, which supports the Department's basic
mission and directs personnel to a general course of action.
3. Procedure
A specific guide on the steps to be followed in accomplishing a
task, handling an activity, or complying with policy.
D. All members of the Department are encouraged to note any procedure,
rule, regulation, or part thereof that they feel needs to be reviewed or
changed. Reasons for change or review may include: a revision in the law,
or the policy, rule or regulation is found to be no longer applicable, or the
policy, rule or regulation may have a negative impact upon the ability of
the Department to provide police service in a contemporary environment,
or some other justifiable reason. These corrections or suggestions should
be documented and routed through the member’s supervisor to the
Division Commander.
E. All members of the Department shall read, shall adhere to, and shall be
held accountable for the policies and procedures set forth in the General
Orders Manual. All members shall properly maintain their manual and
ensure the contents are current and updated promptly.