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Officer-in-Charge Liability

Officer-in-Charge Liability

Instructor(s):
  • Matt Dolan
    Attorney & Director, Dolan Consulting Group, NC
Location:
  • Webinar, N/A
Date(s):
  • Feb 2, 2026
Course Length:
  • 2-hour
Registration Fee:
    • $125 for the first attendee, $75 per each additional attendee

Taking on the job responsibilities of Officer-in-Charge (OIC) on a shift means stepping into a supervisory position and all the additional legal, ethical, and operational responsibilities that come with that responsibility. To accept it is to accept an invitation to enter the world of risk management.  

Far too many officers stepping into the OIC role are learning about these challenges through the process of trial and error—at great expense to themselves, their agencies, the people they lead, and the public that they serve. It is vital to agency operations that officers who serve as an OIC are continuously considering the ramifications of their leadership decisions in the context of liability and risk management.

In this webinar, case law and recent real-world case studies will be utilized to illustrate the most common and costly liability issues confronting an OIC in law enforcement and effective strategies for minimizing that liability. This training is designed to prepare law enforcement leaders in the OIC role to take preventative steps to limit liability, maintain organizational standards, and protect the public trust.

  • Clearly defining the responsibilities of an OIC
  • The 3 most important questions in OIC liability:

               – What should you know?

               – When should you know it?

               – What should you do?

  • Combating the diffusion of responsibility and the bystander effect as the OIC
  • Informal coaching, formal counseling, and referring officer performance issues “up the chain”
  • Liabilities incurred by the failure to supervise and/or failure to act
  • Holding yourself to the same high standard of conduct—regardless of whether or not you are serving as OIC on the shift

Testimonials

Hiring and Retiring Healthy

  • “Thank you for doing this training! Every law enforcement & their families should have this training! SO IMPORTANT!”

-Detective, Utah

Verbal De-escalation: Surviving Verbal Conflict

  • “…Lt. Nieters’ ability to teach this class truly gripped me into seeing [that] I need a change. Hope to attend further training.”

-Patrolman, South Carolina

Improving Public Perception of the Police

  • “Harry Dolan was one of the best instructors I have encountered in 28 years of service.”

-Lieutenant, Wisconsin

Courageous Leadership for Today’s Public Safety

  • “Chief Dolan seamlessly fused his knowledge of history, law enforcement and leadership to provide a wealth of information on this topic. Two days flew by, great course!”

-Officer, Pennsylvania

Homicide Investigation

  • “This course was one of the best & most informative courses I have ever taken. Capt. Babcock’s expertise in the course matter is excellent.’

-Deputy, Florida

Making Discipline Stick

  • “I would consider Matt to be a master orator. Kept a serious topic interesting with his unique and fantastic sense of humor.”

-Detective, South Dakota

Verbal De-escalation

  • “One of/if not the best training I’ve attended. Chief’s lectures were relatable, accurate, and captivating. I really enjoyed the entire week.”

-Officer, Virginia

Taking the Lead: Courageous Leadership

  • “Very well done. [I] look forward to sending my police leaders to future Dolan Consulting Group trainings!

- Chief, Pennsylvania

Evidence-Based First-Line Supervision Training

  • “This should be required for ALL leaders (or people in command) across the nation.”

-Sergeant, Texas

Verbal De-escalation: Surviving Verbal Conflict

  • “I’ve sent 2 of my team members to Verbal De-Escalation. I’ve had it & it’s an amazing class. After encounters, I see the 180 degree difference in these young officers! I will petition to send all of them.”

-Attendee, North Carolina

Developing Organizational Performance Leadership