LA Police Sergeant flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Span of control

The number of subordinates a supervisor directly manages; effective range is typically six to ten, narrower for complex or high-risk assignments.

Situational leadership

A model in which the leader adjusts directive and supportive behavior to the follower's readiness, which combines ability and willingness for the task.

Transformational leadership

Leadership built on idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, producing commitment beyond transactional rewards.

After-action review

A structured debrief asking what was supposed to happen, what happened, why the difference, and what to sustain or improve.

General order

A department-wide directive that remains in effect until rescinded, as distinguished from temporary special orders or unit-specific procedures.

Chain of command

The reporting sequence from officer to sergeant, lieutenant, and captain; skip-level contact is reserved for emergencies or misconduct reporting.

Reportable use of force

Any force beyond unresisted handcuffing that policy requires the officer to document in writing within a stated time window.

Chain of custody

The documented record of every transfer and storage location of evidence, showing continuous control from seizure to disposition.

Terry stop

A brief investigative detention based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity; a frisk additionally requires reasonable suspicion the person is armed and dangerous.

Miranda custody

Custody exists when a reasonable person would not feel free to leave; warnings are required before interrogation in custody.

Graham objective reasonableness

The Fourth Amendment force standard judging force from the perspective of a reasonable officer on scene, considering severity, threat, and resistance.

Brady disclosure

The prosecution's constitutional duty to disclose material exculpatory evidence; suppression or reversal may follow a violation.

Crime scene sequence

Secure, render aid, preserve, photograph, sketch, collect, package, and log evidence before moving or releasing the scene.

Interview versus interrogation

Interviews gather information and are non-custodial; interrogations are accusatory, occur in custody, and require Miranda warnings.

Report narrative elements

Who, what, when, where, why, and how, plus observations, actions taken, evidence collected, and witnesses identified, in chronological order.

Supervisory report review

Checking completeness, legal sufficiency, internal consistency, and correct classification before approving an officer's report.

Procedural justice

Perceived fairness built on voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives, which increases compliance and legitimacy.

SARA model

A problem-solving method: Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment, used to address recurring community problems.

Community policing pillars

Partnership, problem solving, and organizational transformation, the three elements of the community policing model.

Bias-free policing

Basing enforcement decisions on behavior and specific, articulable facts rather than demographic categories.

Force options continuum

A sequence from presence and verbal direction through soft and hard empty hand, intermediate weapons, to lethal force.

Deadly force standard

Justified only to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person.

Duty to render aid

After using force, officers must provide medical assistance and monitoring until relieved by medical personnel.

TASER target cautions

Avoid chest, head, neck, and groin; limit cycles; monitor for excited delirium and positional asphyxia after deployment.

Progressive discipline

A graduated response from documented counseling through written reprimand, suspension, demotion, and termination, matched to the offense.

Weingarten rights

A union-represented employee may request representation during an investigatory interview that could lead to discipline.

Garrity rule

Compelled statements cannot be used in a criminal prosecution but may support administrative discipline.

Just cause framework

Discipline requires notice of the rule, a reasonable rule, an investigation, proof, equal treatment, and a proportionate penalty.

Staffing formula

Required posts multiplied by shift coverage, divided by available officer hours, yields minimum headcount for deployment.

Records retention schedule

A policy setting minimum and maximum retention by record type; a litigation hold overrides scheduled destruction.

Operational plan elements

Objective, intelligence, personnel, communications, contingency plan, and after-action review for planned events.

Equipment accountability

Serialized inventory, issuance logs, inspection schedules, and replacement cycles that track department property.