|
Organization & Command Protocol
The purpose of establishing a formal organizational structure of the Merrimack County Sheriff's
Office is to ensure that each member of the organization understands his/her role and position,
knows who (s)he reports to and whom (s)he is responsible for. The Office structure is organized
by function in such a manner that will make efficient use of all the resources of this Office.
Pursuant to the Constitution of New Hampshire, Part 2, Article 7, and R.S.A. 104:6, responsibility
for the management, direction authority, and control of the operations and administration of the
Merrimack County Sheriff's Office shall be vested in the Sheriff. The Operations Director and
Office Administrator report directly to the Sheriff. The Operations Director is second in command
with the rank of Captain. The Captain is responsible for the overall operations of the Office. All
supervisory staff reports to the Operations Captain.
Operations
Support Staff: Members of this component coordinate, maintain, and distribute confidential
records. They transcribe investigation case notes. They are also responsible for the processing
of court documents, request for criminal record checks, processing civil and criminal warrants,
greeting and responding to visitors, and telephone coordination. General office functions are
also the responsibility of this section. They are accountable to the Operations Sergeant.
Investigations: The Detective Sergeant is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations
on major reported crimes, initiating formal investigations on certain crimes not normally
investigated by road deputies, preparing cases for prosecution, warrant service, and assisting
other law enforcement agencies with criminal investigations, along with other duties assigned
by the Investigations Lieutenant.
Civil Process and Prisoner Transportation: This section is headed by an Operations Sergeant and is accountable to the Special Operations Lieutenant. Responsibilities include the execution of Sheriff's sales, the service of writs, subpoenas, orders of protection, warrants, transportation of prisoners to court and returned to jail, and other duties as assigned, including community policing, safety and DARE programs.
Communications: The Communications Lieutenant is responsible for supervision in this section.
Sr. Communications Specialists assist the lieutenant as group leaders on individual shifts. The Communications Lieutenant reports to the Operations Captain. The primary responsibilities are
to receive and transfer all information brought to their attention via telephone or radio, dispatch
all calls for service within their area of responsibility, generate and record information in a written
form, using the computer-aided dispatch program for radio and phone logs, and monitor officer
activities. Communications Specialists use the SPOTS system (State Police On-line
Telecommunications System) for broadcasts and listings, provide motor vehicle, license plate,
and criminal histories to officers in the field, and for interagency communications. Other
responsibilities include monitoring all police and alarm systems which terminate in the
Communication Center, and monitor all video cameras which also terminate in the
Communication Center. Currently, the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office dispatches for
13 county cities, towns and agencies.
Court Security: This section is headed by the Court Security Supervisor and Assistant, and
is accountable to the Operations Captain. Responsibilities include the daily security of the
courthouse and safety of all who enter the safe movement of prisoners throughout the courthouse
and related duties as assigned.
Command Protocol
In the Sheriff’s absence, the order of precedence for command authority shall be established
as follows:
1) Captain
2) Lieutenant
3) Sergeant
4) In emergency circumstances, an officer assigned as team leader shall command during the actual operation or assignment for the purpose of achieving the specific function or objective assigned
by the proper authority.
5) The highest rank deputy present shall assume command in situations involving members of
different functions in a single operation.
6) During normal day-to-day operations, and absent a specific assignment or grant of command
authority by the Sheriff to the contrary, command authority shall rest with the Office member
holding the highest rank.
|
