This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer.

The purpose of this policy is to define the organization of the Probation Department and the hierarchy of authority.  Nothing in this policy is intended to inhibit communication but rather, the policy is to serve as a structure to define and strengthen orderly dialog.

This applies to all the employees of the Probation Department.

The San Luis Obispo County Probation Department exists to improve community safety across the justice system by using proven practices to hold offenders accountable and facilitate positive change.  It employs both peace officers and administrative staff to accomplish this purpose.  In order to accomplish this purpose, the Probation Department is organized into divisions with a vertical line of authority.

1. The Department is divided into working divisions each with a Chief Deputy Probation Officer who oversees the operation of their assigned division.

1. Adult Division
2. Juvenile Services Division
3. Support and Adult Services Division
4. Juvenile Custody Division

    

   1. The Chief Deputy Probation Officer reports to the Assistant Chief Probation Officer
   2. The Assistant Chief Probation Officer and the Business Manager report directly to the Chief Probation Officer.
   3. Chain of Command.

       

1. The Chief Probation Officer is responsible for enforcing the chain of command.
2. In the absence of the Chief, his/her duties shall be designated to the Assistant Chief Probation Officer

    

3. Each Division shall have one or more subordinates (Supervising Deputy Probation Officer, Administrative Services Officer, or Accountant) designated to act in the absence of the Chief Deputy Probation Officer.

    

   E.  The Chief Probation Officer shall hold authority to manage and direct all phases of the operation of the Probation Department.

    

   F.  In keeping with the chain of command, all matters related to unit and/or Division activities or responsibilities shall first be fully reviewed by the immediate Supervisor of the line staff prior to requesting decisions at the next level of the chain of command.

    

G.  Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prohibit work related discussions between staff of different rank.

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.