[ Administration ]  [ Personnel ]  [ General Operations ]  [ Field Operations ]  [ Criminal Investigations ]  [ Support Operations ]  [ Special Orders ]  [ Command Memo ]  [ Library ]  [ Search ]  [ Home ]

Applicable To:  Division commanders and the Personnel Section commander

Approval Authority:  Chief Richard J. Pennington

Signature:  Signed by RJP

Date Signed: 5/15/09

1.               PURPOSE

To establish a system for the effective utilization of civilian personnel.

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department assigns civilian employees to all functions not requiring sworn employees.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The Personnel Services Unit is responsible for reviewing the effective utilization of sworn and civilian employees by monitoring employee assignments.  The unit commander will ask the Department of Personnel and Human Resources for a reclassification study when necessary.

3.2              The division commanders are responsible for the effective use of sworn and civilian employees under their command.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Each division commander will annually review the units under their command to determine whether sworn employees are performing in positions or functions that are appropriate for civilian employees.

4.1.1           In their annual review, the division commanders will develop a plan for replacing sworn employees found to be performing in positions or functions designated for civilian employees, except as provided in section 4.1.2.

4.1.2           The annual review should identify:

1.    Any sworn employees who are assigned temporarily to duties which are otherwise considered to be civilian in nature for the purpose of using special skills on a temporary or emergency basis, broadening the employees' experience, or providing for law enforcement authority.

2.    Those sworn employees who are assigned in a "light duty" or an "administrative duties" status.

4.1.3           The annual review will be submitted to the Personnel Services Unit.

4.2              The commander of the Personnel Services Unit will evaluate the annual reviews submitted by the division commanders.

4.2.1           The Personnel Services Unit commander will determine whether the use of sworn employees is justified.

4.2.2           If the justification is not adequate, the Unit commander will recommend to the Chief of Police that the sworn employees in question be transferred to an appropriate function and that additional civilian position be budgeted, if necessary.

4.3              The commander of the Personnel Services Unit will maintain a roster of the sworn employees who are assigned to a "light duty" or "administrative duties" status who are performing a civilian function.

5.               DEFINITIONS

5.1              Administrative duties: In this status an employee is temporarily assigned to office duties and may not wear the police uniform or carry a firearm or badge.

5.2              Civilian position:  A position which does not require the legal authority, knowledge, skills, or abilities of a sworn employee.

5.3              Light duty:  An injured or otherwise disabled employee is temporarily or permanently assigned to limited duties that he or she is capable of performing.

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  APD.SOP. 2180 “Utilization of Civilian Personnel, issued July 1, 2004

7.               REFERENCES

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 5^th Edition Standard 16.5.1