If a supervisor orders a non-emergency action that would violate department policy, what is the correct action?

• A. Do Not Follow The Order; Seek Guidance From Higher Authority; Document Concerns And Proceed According To Policy.
• B. Follow The Supervisor’s Instruction To Maintain Order And Avoid Confrontation.
• C. Ignore Policy And Proceed As You See Fit.
• D. Delay Action Until The Next Shift.

Answer: (A)

When a supervisor asks you to take a non-emergency action that would violate department policy, you must not proceed. The right move is to pause, explain that you cannot carry out the action because it conflicts with policy, and seek guidance from someone higher up who can authorize an exception or interpret the policy. Document the request, who asked, when, and exactly what policy would be violated, along with the responses you receive. Then follow the policy as instructed by the appropriate authority.

This approach protects safety, accountability, and legal/organizational compliance. It also reinforces the proper chain of command and creates a clear record in case questions or investigations arise later. Acting on the supervisor’s order would put you and the organization at risk for policy violations, while delaying action without escalation could leave the policy issue unresolved. Stopping the action and escalating is the responsible, policy-aligned path.