Police Captain cheat sheet
Police Captain · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Law Enforcement Administration, Management, and Supervision
Span of control: ideal 3-7 subordinates per supervisor; wider spans acceptable for homogeneous, routine tasks.
Unity of command: each employee reports to exactly one supervisor; violation causes confusion and diluted accountability.
Scalar principle: authority flows in an unbroken chain from chief to patrol officer; bypassing levels undermines command.
POSDCORB (Gulick): Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, Budgeting-classic administrative functions.
Delegation requires granting authority, responsibility, and accountability; manager retains ultimate accountability.
Management by Objectives (MBO): goals set jointly, periodic review, performance measured against agreed objectives.
Situational leadership (Hersey-Blanchard): style adapts to follower maturity-telling, selling, participating, delegating.
Discipline types: positive (preventive) vs. negative (corrective); progressive discipline steps: oral warning, written reprimand, suspension, demotion, termination.
Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Constitutional Law
Fourth Amendment: reasonableness standard; warrant requires probable cause, oath/affirmation, particularity.
Exceptions to warrant: search incident to arrest, consent, exigent circumstances, automobile, plain view, stop-and-frisk (Terry).
Fifth Amendment: privilege against self-incrimination; Miranda triggers when custody + interrogation; waiver must be knowing, voluntary, intelligent.
Sixth Amendment: right to counsel attaches at formal charging (critical stage); applies to all felony prosecutions.
Due process (14th Amendment): incorporates most Bill of Rights protections against states; fundamental fairness.
Criminal liability elements: actus reus (guilty act), mens rea (guilty mind), concurrence, causation, and resulting harm.
Felony murder rule: death during commission of inherently dangerous felony (e.g., robbery, burglary) yields murder liability.
Exclusionary rule: evidence obtained in violation of Fourth Amendment generally inadmissible; exceptions: good faith, inevitable discovery, attenuation.
Patrol Operations, Deployment, and Crime Reduction Strategies
Hot spots policing: concentrate resources on micro-places with high crime concentration; effective when dosage is sufficient and sustained.
CompStat process: timely accurate data, rapid deployment, effective tactics, relentless follow-up (Bratton/Maple).
Koper curve: 15-minute optimally effective police presence at hot spots; random, intermittent visits maximize deterrence.
Directed patrol: specific assignment to address a particular problem; more effective than random patrol for crime reduction.
Broken windows theory (Wilson & Kelling): disorder and minor crimes, if unchecked, lead to serious crime; order maintenance matters.
Deployment formulas: workload-based (calls for service × average time / available time) vs. ratio-based (officers per 1,000 residents).
Crime triangle: offender, victim, location; intervention can target any side; routine activity theory adds absence of capable guardian.
Evidence-based strategies: hot spots, problem-oriented policing (SARA model), focused deterrence, CCTV in high-crime areas with monitoring.
Investigations, Case Management, and Evidence Handling
Chain of custody: documented chronological record of seizure, custody, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence.
Brady v. Maryland: prosecution must disclose exculpatory evidence to defense; failure violates due process.
SARA model: Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment-problem-oriented policing framework for investigations.
Case management: solvability factors (e.g., named suspect, vehicle info, eyewitness) guide follow-up prioritization.
Evidence types: testimonial, documentary, physical, demonstrative; each has distinct authentication requirements.
Hearsay rule: out-of-court statement offered for truth; exceptions include excited utterance, dying declaration, business records.
Digital evidence: must preserve metadata, use write-blockers, document hash values; chain of custody critical for admissibility.
Investigative best practices: separate witnesses, avoid contaminating eyewitness memory, record interviews, use double-blind lineup procedures.
Community Relations, Public Trust, and Media/Public Information
Procedural justice (Tyler): voice, neutrality, respect, trustworthiness-four pillars that build public trust.
Legitimacy: public perception that police authority is justified; enhanced by fair processes, not just outcomes.
Community policing: organizational transformation, community partnerships, problem-solving (COPPS).
Media relations: PIO (Public Information Officer) is single point of contact; timely, accurate, consistent messaging.
Crisis communication: acknowledge, express empathy, provide facts, state next steps, avoid speculation.
Social media policy: distinguish personal vs. professional use; no posting of sensitive case info; monitor for threats.
Transparency: release body-worn camera footage per policy, balancing privacy and public interest.
Community engagement strategies: citizen academies, ride-alongs, neighborhood meetings, advisory boards.
Personnel Management, Discipline, and Labor/Employment Issues
Weingarten rights: union employee may request union representation during investigatory interview that could lead to discipline.
Garrity rule: compelled statements by public employees cannot be used in criminal prosecution; applies when threat of dismissal exists.
Progressive discipline: oral warning, written reprimand, suspension, demotion, termination; must be documented and consistent.
Just cause standard: seven tests (notice, reasonable rules, investigation, fair investigation, proof, equal treatment, penalty).
FLSA: overtime pay for non-exempt; police can use 7(k) work period (up to 171 hours/28 days) to reduce overtime.
Collective bargaining: mandatory subjects (wages, hours, conditions) vs. permissive (e.g., staffing decisions).
Due process in discipline: Loudermill hearing-notice of charges and opportunity to respond before deprivation of property interest.
Workplace investigations: timely, impartial, documented; maintain confidentiality; avoid conflicts of interest.
Budgeting, Resource Allocation, and Fiscal Management
Budget types: line-item (input-focused), performance (output-focused), program (goal-focused), zero-based (justify all expenses).
Cost-benefit analysis: compare marginal costs and marginal benefits of resource allocation decisions.
Overtime management: monitor, approve, and track; use comp time or flex scheduling to control costs.
Grant management: comply with federal/state requirements, match funds, reporting deadlines, audit trails.
Fiscal year: typical July 1–June 30 for municipalities; budget cycle includes preparation, adoption, execution, audit.
Resource allocation: prioritize based on workload, crime data, and community needs; use evidence-based practices.
Capital vs. operating budget: capital for long-term assets (vehicles, buildings); operating for recurring expenses (salaries, supplies).
Budget monitoring: monthly variance reports; adjust for unanticipated costs (e.g., overtime, litigation).
Emergency Management, Critical Incidents, and Interagency Coordination
Incident Command System (ICS): modular, scalable; roles: Incident Commander, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration.
NIMS: National Incident Management System-standardized approach for all hazards; integrates public and private sectors.
Unified Command: used when multiple agencies have jurisdiction; shared authority and single action plan.
Critical incident: active shooter, hostage, barricade, mass casualty; first responders establish command, contain, evacuate, neutralize.
After-action review (AAR): structured debrief to identify strengths, weaknesses, and improvement actions.
Mutual aid agreements: formal written agreements for cross-jurisdictional assistance; specify resources, cost, liability.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC): coordination hub; does not command field operations but supports them.
Continuity of Operations (COOP): ensure essential functions continue during emergencies; alternate facilities, communications.
Ethics, Integrity, and Professional Standards
Ethical frameworks: utilitarianism (greatest good), deontology (duty/rights), virtue ethics (character).
Law enforcement code of ethics: primary responsibility to safeguard lives and property, protect innocent, respect constitutional rights.
Corruption typology: grass-eating (passive acceptance) vs. meat-eating (aggressive extortion); Knapp Commission findings.
Noble cause corruption: ends-justify-means rationalization; leads to evidence planting, perjury, illegal searches.
Early intervention systems: identify at-risk officers through data (complaints, use of force, sick leave); proactive supervision.
Internal affairs: investigate misconduct; maintain confidentiality; ensure due process for accused.
Professional standards: accreditation (CALEA), policy development, training, audits, and accountability.
Ethical decision-making models: identify problem, gather facts, consider stakeholders, weigh alternatives, act, reflect.