Chapter 1

Question 1

What are the General Orders?

Answer 1

The general orders are written directives that concern policy, rules, regulations, and procedures affecting one or more organizational components

Question 2

What are Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)?

Answer 2

SOPs are written directives that are specific to a given office, division, section, or unit, rather than to the entire Department

Question 3

What are the Chief’s Special Orders (CSOs)?

Answer 3

CSOs are directives of limited duration or those pertaining to the Department as well as other agencies of Local, State, or Federal Government

Question 4

What supersedes if a provision of a regulation, Departmental directive, rule, or procedure conflicts with a provision of an existing labor agreement?

Answer 4

The existing labor agreement

Question 5

How does the validity of any policy affect the remaining portions of the policy system?

Answer 5

If any policy is determined to be illegal, incorrect or inapplicable, such findings shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the policy system

Question 6

When provisions of a Standard Operating Procedure or Specific Order Manual conflict with the General Order Manual, which takes precedence?

Answer 6

the provisions of the General Orders take precedence. Portions not addressed by the GOM remain in effect when no conflict exists

Question 7

How does the policy system apply to all employees

Answer 7

All employees shall be conversant with, and conform to, applicable provisions of the policy system. Off-duty employees performing any function governed by policy shall comply with the same provisions as on-duty employees.

Question 8

How does the policy system apply to Officers specifically

Answer 8

Officers shall be fully knowledgeable in those policies governing:

- Detainee handling 

- Use of force  
- Use of weapons  
- Vehicle pursuit and roadblocks

Question 9

What process must be followed in the creation or revision of a General Order?

Answer 9

- Identify the topic to be addressed by the General Order 

- Research the topic to determine current best practice(s) 
 - Consider all applicable directives and/or agreements (e.g., DOJ MOA/Consent Decree, CALEA standards, etc.)  
  - Draft the General Order  
  - Submit the draft to appropriate subject matter experts within and outside the Department  
  - Revise the original draft, if necessary  
  - Submit the draft to the Office of the Legal Advisor to ensure that the proposed policy is in compliance with Local, State, and Federal laws  
  - Revise the draft into the finalized General Order  Submit the finalized General Order to the Chief of Police for review and approval

Question 10

Who distributes the General Order Manual

Answer 10

The Planning & Research Division

Question 11

When do employees receive their copies of the General Order Manual

Answer 11

 - Student officers receive their manuals during their course of instruction at the Prince George’s County Police Training Academy 
- Civilian employees receive their manuals at the PGPD New Employee Orientation and Training session

Question 12

What is required from each person when:

 - Initially issued a GOM  
 - Receiving a replacement GOM  
 - Receiving updates or revisions

Answer 12

Recipients shall sign receipt forms to acknowledge receiving, and responsibility for knowing, General Orders

Question 13

What is the Supervisors responsibilities when the receipt forms are completed

Answer 13

Supervisors shall transmit the completed receipt forms to their Commander/Manager, who shall forward the forms to the Planning & Research Division.