The Complex Duties of a Sergeant

Course Preview

Course Author(s)

Ben Kontaxes J.D., Sgt. Tim Sutton, Sgt. Perry Bartels, Sgt. Patrick Scott

Course Summary

This course breaks from the normal convention of online training, and takes 3 veteran Sergeant law enforcement officers sitting down in a podcast style presentation talking about the many duties of a Sergeant. Hosted by Ben Kontaxes, a law enforcement officer and attorney in the State of Virginia, this course asks the questions that new Sergeants wish they could ask of seasoned officers about the duties of a Sergeant. With more than 90 years of combined experience sitting at one table, this course asks Sergeants how to handle their duties from the perspective of large, medium, and smaller agencies. This course covers topic on: Leadership Development of officers Assignment of duties Performance reviews Reports Special investigations Citizen complaints Increased liability of becoming a Sergeant, and so much more...

Course Syllabus

  • Module 1 - Leadership, Management, Supervisor

    • Introduction
    • What is a Leader?
    • Leader, Manager, Supervisor
    • Example Lead Performance
    • How is the Sergeant's Job Different from a Line Officer's Job?
    • The Difference Between First Line Supervisor and Upper-Level Command
    • Leader vs Follower
    • How to Encourage and Develop Your Officers
    • Steering the Development of Officers
    • Define: Operational Control
    • How Do Sergeants Bridge the Gap Between Officers and Upper Management?
    • Assignment of Duties
    • Helping Officers Feel Appreciated and Respected
    • Module Assessment

  • Module 2 - Documentation, Reports, and Evaluations

    • Why is Reviewing Documentation Important?
    • How to Handle Poorly Written Reports
    • Scheduling
    • HR Department and Related Issues
    • Performance Evaluations, Improving Officer Performance
    • Candid Discussion About Discipline
    • Module Assessment

  • Module 3 - Investigations, Complaints, and Deficiencies

    • Internal Affairs and Special Investigations
    • Handling Citizen Complaints
    • Training Deficiencies
    • Supervision of Traffic Flow, Assignment of Officers
    • Module Assessment

  • Module 4 - Inspections

    • Formal and Informal Inspections
    • A Sergeant is an Officer Too
    • Closing Thoughts on the Importance of This Training
    • Module Assessment

  • Module 5 - The Liability of Becoming a Sergeant

    • The Liability of a Sergeant, Changing Laws
    • Elements of a 1983 Claim
    • Qualified Immunity
    • Fear of Liability and Making Split-Second Decisions
    • Liability and Reporting Misconduct
    • Seeking Legal Guidance
    • Liability of Training
    • State Level Liabilities
    • Deliberate Indifference
    • Summary of Liabilities
    • Module Assessment