Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration
Policy 200: Organizational Structure and Responsibility
200.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The organizational structure of this department is designed to create an efficient means to accomplish our mission and goals and to provide for the best possible service to our campus community and the public.
200.2 DIVISIONS
The Chief/Director of Public Safety is responsible for administering and managing the San Mateo County Community College Command Staff - Department of Public Safety. There are one sections in the Public Safety Department as follows:
- College of San Mateo
- Skyline College
- Canada College
200.3 COMMAND PROTOCOL
200.3.1 SUCCESSION OF COMMAND
The Director/Chief of Public Safety exercises command over all personnel in the Department. During planned absences, the Chief/Director will designate a Public Safety Captain to serve as the acting Chief/Director. Except when designated as above, the order of command authority in the absence or unavailability of the Director is as follows: (a) (b) (c) Captain Lieutenant Sergeant
200.3.2 UNITY OF COMMAND
The principles of unity of command ensure efficient supervision and control within the Department. Generally, each employee shall be accountable to one supervisor at any time for a given assignment or responsibility.
200.3.3 ORDERS
Members shall respond to and make a good faith and reasonable effort to comply with the lawful order of superior officers and other proper authority.
Policy 201: Departmental Policies
201.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Departmental policy updates establish an interdepartmental communication that may be used by the Director/Chief of Public Safety to make immediate changes to policy and procedure consistent with the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
201.1.1 DEPARTMENTAL POLICY PROTOCOL
Departmental policy updates will be incorporated into the manual as required upon approval.
201.2 RESPONSIBILITIES
201.2.1 STAFF
The command staff shall review and approve revisions of the policy manual.
201.2.2 DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Chief/Director or designee shall issue all policies.
201.2 ACCEPTANCE OF DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES
All employees are required to read and obtain any necessary clarification of all policies. All employees are required to acknowledge electronically the receipt and review of any new policies.
Policy 202: Disaster Plan
202.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The District has prepared an Emergency Response Plan for use by all employees in the event of a major disaster or emergency incident.. The Emergency Response Plan provides for a strategic response by all employees and assigns specific responsibilities in the event the plan is activated.
202.2 ACTIVATING THE EMERGENCY PLAN
The Emergency Response Plan can be activated by the College Presidents, or the highest ranking official or their designee on duty at a college campus, or within the District may activate the Emergency Response Plan in response to a major emergency.
202.2.1 RECALL OF PERSONNEL - CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE 3100
California Government Code 3100 provides that all public employees are disaster service workers and may be assigned disaster service activities, if necessary. It is hereby declared that the protection of the health and safety and preservation of the lives and property of the people of the state from the effects of natural, man-made, or war caused emergencies which result in conditions of disaster or in extreme peril to life, property, and resources is of paramount state importance requiring the responsible efforts of public and private agencies and individual citizens. In furtherance of the exercise of the police power of the state in protection of its citizens and resources, all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
- When the Federal, State, County, or local government officially declares an emergency, employees should ensure that they and their family are safe.
- Be prepared to be deployed to a disaster service assignment.
- Understand assignments may require disaster service work at locations, times, and conditions other than normal work assignments.
202.3 LOCATION OF THE PLAN
The Emergency Response Plan is located online, on the San Mateo County Community College District website. All employees should familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Plan.
202.4 UPDATING OF PLAN
The Emergency Preparedness Manager or designee shall review and update, if necessary, the Emergency Response Plan at least once every two years to ensure the plan conforms to any revisions made by the National Incident Management System (NIMS), or as required by law.
Policy 203: Staffing Levels
203.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Department intends to balance employee's preferences with the need to have flexibility and discretion in using personnel to meet operational needs. While balance is desirable, the paramount concern is the need to meet operational requirements of the Department.
203.2 MINIMUM STAFFING LEVELS
There shall be a minimum of one officer on duty at each campus during the hours of instruction (typically Monday through Friday, during day and swing shift hours). An officer can mean a Public Safety Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Captain or Chief/Director.
203.2.1 SUPERVISION DEPLOYMENTS
In order to accommodate training and other unforeseen circumstances, an officer may be used as supervisors in place of a sergeant. With prior authorization from the Patrol Command Staff, an officer may act as the Supervisor for a limited period of time.