Last updated on:

14 May 2021

The Chicago Police Department's (CPD) Department Directives System (DDS) is the official repository for current CPD directives. This system is maintained by the Research and Development Division of the Chicago Police Department. The guidelines for the DDS can be found in the General Order G01-03 entitled "Department Directives System."

Click here for the CPD Sergeant's Promotional Exam - 2019 directives site.

USER TIPS

Finding Recently Revised or Issued Directives
- The Advanced Search menu (link just below Search box) contains options for filtering the directives by date. Users can either choose a specific date range or select from a drop down menu that offers choices of the "Effective Date in Last" "1, 3, 6, or 12 Month(s)."
Print or save directives
- To print or save a copy of the directive, use the "Print/Save" Icon on the top of the website frame. This icon will open the directive in Adobe .pdf format which then can be saved or printed.
Finding a Department Form or Uniform and Equipment Specification
- Links to Department forms that are available in the DDS are included in the Resources section. Department forms can be located by either searching for the specific Department form (by name or number) or by navigating from the "Contents" Tab to Resources >> Department Forms. Additionally, when an form is referenced in a directive and is also available via the DDS, a link will be provided within the directive.
- Links to Uniform and Equipment Specifications that are available in the DDS are included in the "Uniform and Property" Directives. Specifications can be located by either searching for the uniform specification or by navigating from the "Contents" Tab to Uniform and Property >> Uniform and Equipment Specifications.
Browser “Find” feature
- The browser's "Find" feature can be used to search for specific text within the directive that is displayed. In most browsers, holding down "Ctrl" and pressing the "F" key will open this feature.
Changing font size
- To increase or decrease the font size, hold the "Ctrl" button and press either the plus sign (+) to increase or the minus sign (-) to decrease the font.

ENHANCEMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS

The Department Directives System is available on CPD Portable Data Terminals (PDT)! A link to the DDS is on the PDT’s CLEAR page.
The Department directives are organized into the following classifications: General Order, Special Order, Employee Resource, Uniform and Property, and Department Notice (listed under "Other Directives").
Each classification of directives is grouped into related topics or "Index Categories." The navigation tree under the "Contents" tab can be expanded to each individual directive, giving a clear view of the structure. Additionally, the structure is outlined in the Department Directives System Index (CPD-11.716).
Directives are numbered by classification and category rather than merely by date of issue. This gives directives a permanent number for easy reference and recall. Revisions to directives will be announced by the Research and Development Division and identified by the new "Effective Date."
Some directives are split to separate policy (General Order) from specific procedures (Special Order). When looking for information, determine if a Department directive has a companion or related directive in another classification. These "splits" are identified in the the "Purpose" section of the affected directives as well as in Department Directives System Index (CPD-11.716).
The DDS also contains various Department Resources including various "Guides and Manuals" (e.g., Rules and Regulations of the Chicago Police Department, Incident Reporting Guide), Department Forms, and Collective Bargaining Agreements. These resources can be found by navigating from the "Contents" Tab to Resources.
The DDS offers users an enhanced search capability and interactive documents. The system has the ability to link documents to one another for easy cross-reference and to display other items such as linked glossary terms and contact information in pop-up windows.

KNOWN ISSUES AND FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS

All submitted suggestions are documented and evaluated for future implementation:

The Phone Book link at the top of the webpage may take multiple minutes to open in Internet Explorer.
Create a "Home" button to return a user to the Welcome Page.
Add the directive number to the search results list and sort the results by classification and number.
Add Advance Search features such as Exact Word/Phrase, Directive Title, and Directive Number. Basic search will work as robustly as it does now.
Add Bureau of Patrol and Bureau of Detectives Special Orders to the DDS.
When conducting a search for a Department form, a direct link to the form should be returned in the results list.

Let us know what you think of the new Department Directives System, if you see problems, or how things could be improved. Feedback can be directed to the Comprehensive Policy Review Project, Research and Development Division at 312-745-6071, PAX 0630, or e-mailed to RandD@chicagopolice.org.