QR&O: Volume I - Chapter 4 Duties and Responsibilities of Officers

Effective 1 August 2015, the official version of the QR&O is that published in PDF format on this website. In the event of any inconsistency between this consolidation and any printed or electronic copy, this consolidation prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. The HTML version on this website is provided solely for the convenience of readers. Any discrepancies between the HTML and the official PDF version should be reported to the DSCS, Corporate Secretary.

Amendment List:

• 30 June 2024 - repealed subparagraph : 4.02(1)(e)
• 30 June 2024 - repealed paragraph : 4.02(2)
• 30 June 2024 - repealed note to article : 4.02
• 1 August 2015 - replaced article: 4.26
• 1 June 2014 - amended article: 4.02
• 23 April 2009 - amended article: 4.02
• 5 June 2008 - amended article: 4.02
• 24 April 2007 - new article: 4.14
• 24 April 2007 - amended article: 4.20

History:

• Historical version for the period of 25 May 2022 to 30 June 2024
• Historical version for the period of 1 August 2015 to 24 May 2022
• Historical version for the period 1 June 2014 to 31 July 2015
• Historical version for the period 23 April 2009 to 31 May 2014
• Historical version for the period 5 June 2008 to 22 April 2009
• Historical version for the period 13 September 2007 to 4 June 2008
• Historical version for the period 13 September 2000 to 23 April 2007

Section 1 – General

4.01 - RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS TO SUPERIORS

An officer is responsible to his immediate superior for the proper and efficient performance of his duties.

(M)

4.02 - GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS

(1) An officer shall:

1. become acquainted with, observe and enforce:
   1. the National Defence Act,
   2. the Security of Information Act,
   3. QR&O, and
   4. all other regulations, rules, orders and instructions that pertain to the performance of the officer's duties;
2. afford to all persons employed in the public service such assistance in the performance of their duties as is practical;
3. promote the welfare, efficiency and good discipline of all subordinates; and
4. ensure the proper care and maintenance, and prevent the waste, of all public and non-public property within the officer's control.

(M) [5 June 2008 – (1)(a)(ii) and (2); 1 June 2014 – (2); 25 May 2022 (2); 30 June 2024 – (1)(e) and (2) are repealed]

(C) [23 April 2009; Note repealed on 30 June 2024]

[4.03 and 4.04: not allocated]

4.05 - VISITS TO BASES, UNITS AND ELEMENTS

An officer visiting a base, unit or element on duty shall report to the officer in command before proceeding with the object of the visit.

(C)

[4.06 and 4.07: not allocated]

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Section 2 - Office of the Judge Advocate General

[4.08: repealed 1 September 1999]

4.081 - COMMAND OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL

(1) Every legal officer whose duty is the provision of legal services to the Canadian Forces shall be posted to a position established within the office of the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

(2) The Judge Advocate General has command over all officers and non-commissioned members posted to a position established within the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

(3) Where the Judge Advocate General is absent or unable to act, the legal officer authorized pursuant to section 10 of the National Defence Act to act for the Judge Advocate General shall assume command of the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

(4) The duties of a legal officer posted to a position established within the Office of the Judge Advocate General are determined by or under the authority of the Judge Advocate General and, in respect of the performance of those duties, a legal officer is not subject to the command of an officer who is not a legal officer.

(M) [27 September 1997]

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Section 3 - Office of the Chief Military Judge

[4.09: repealed by P.C. 1999-1305 effective 1 September 1999]

4.091 - POWERS AND JURISDICTION OF THE CHIEF MILITARY JUDGE

(1) The Chief Military Judge has the powers and jurisdiction of an officer commanding a command with respect to the Office of the Chief Military Judge.

(2) The Chief Military Judge shall not exercise the powers or jurisdiction of a commanding officer or an officer commanding a command in respect of any disciplinary matter or a grievance.

(G) [P.C. 2000-1419 effective 13 September 2000]

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Section 4 - Responsibilities of an Officer Commanding a Command

4.10 - GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN OFFICER COMMANDING A COMMAND

An officer commanding a command is, for the control or administration of all formations, bases, units and elements allocated to the command, responsible directly to:

1. the Chief of the Defence Staff; or
2. such officer as the Chief of the Defence Staff may designate.

(M)

4.11 - REPORTS OF UNUSUAL INCIDENTS

An officer commanding a command shall report immediately to National Defence Headquarters and to the Regional Headquarters concerned any serious or unusual incident that occurs in or affects any base, unit or element in the command, which is not required to be reported by other regulations or orders, has a military significance, and is likely to be the subject of questions to National Defence Headquarters.

(C)

4.12 - COMMAND ORDERS

(1) An officer commanding a command shall issue command orders for the information and action of those under the officer's command.

(2) The form of command orders shall be as prescribed by the Chief of the Defence Staff.

(C)

4.13 - INFORMATION PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Subject to any orders issued by the Chief of the Defence Staff, an officer commanding a command is responsible for conducting, within the command, information programs that include public information, internal information and community relations.

(M)

4.14 - SAFEGUARDING OF WORKS AND BUILDINGS

An officer commanding a command shall ensure that all works and buildings at a new base, unit or element are properly safeguarded prior to being taken over by the commanding officer.

(C) [24 April 2007]

[4.15: not allocated]

4.16 - LIAISON WITH CIVIL AUTHORITIES

An officer commanding a command shall communicate with the appropriate civil authorities to obtain such cooperation as may be necessary in connection with the functioning of the command.

(M)

[4.17 to 4.19 inclusive: not allocated]

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Section 5 - Responsibilities of a Commanding Officer

4.20 - GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COMMANDING OFFICER

(1) A commanding officer is responsible for the whole of the organization and safety of the commanding officer's base, unit or element, but the detailed distribution of work between the commanding officer and subordinates is left substantially to the commanding officer's discretion.

(2) Unless otherwise provided in QR&O, a commanding officer may allocate to officers, who are immediately subordinate to the commanding officer, all matters of routine or of minor administration.

(3) A commanding officer shall retain for himself:

1. matters of general organization and policy;
2. important matters requiring the commanding officer's personal attention and decision; and
3. the general control and supervision of the various duties that the commanding officer has allocated to others.

(4) A commanding officer of a base, unit or element shall ensure that all works and buildings at the base, unit or element are properly safeguarded at all times.

(C) [24 April 2007]

4.21 - STANDING ORDERS

(1) A commanding officer shall issue standing orders which shall include orders that are peculiar to the commanding officer's base, unit or element.

(2) An officer in temporary command of a base, unit or element shall not issue standing orders, nor alter those already in force, without reference to the officer in permanent command or to superior authority.

(3) Where a commanding officer is away from the base, unit or element, that officer shall not issue standing orders.

(C)

[4.22 to 4.25 inclusive: not allocated]

4.26 - PUBLICITY OF REGULATIONS, ORDERS, INSTRUCTIONS, CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS

(1) A commanding officer of a base, unit or other element shall ensure that all regulations, orders, instructions, correspondence and publications affecting officers or non-commissioned members under his or her command, whether in the performance of their duties or in the conditions of their service, are given the publicity that will enable those officers or non-commissioned members to study them and become acquainted with the contents. (See articles 1.21– Publication of Regulations, Orders and Instructions and 1.22– Accessibility of Regulations, Orders and Instructions.)

(2) All regulations, orders and instructions relating to any matters requiring special explanation shall be explained to non-commissioned members as soon as they are published.

C) [1 August 2015]

4.27 - PROVISION OF INFORMATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

(1) A commanding officer of a base, unit or element shall ensure that, in accordance with orders issued by the Chief of the Defence Staff, members of the base, unit or element are provided with information on the plans, policies, programs and activities of the Canadian Forces and that requests for information on Canadian Forces activities from either the news media or the general public are dealt with expeditiously.

(2) A commanding officer of a base, unit or element shall take all practicable steps to stimulate and sustain a harmonious relationship between the base, unit or element and the civilian community.

(C)

[4.28 and 4.29 inclusive: not allocated]

4.30 - ARMED PARTIES ON UNUSUAL DUTIES

A commanding officer of a base, unit or element shall personally ensure that the officer or non-commissioned member in charge of an armed party called out from the base, unit or element for the performance of any unusual duty is fully instructed in all particulars that concern the duty the party may be required to perform.

(C)

[4.31 to 4.60 inclusive: not allocated]

4.61 - RECREATION PROGRAMS

(1) A commanding officer of a base, unit or element shall ensure that suitable recreation programs are organized for the members of the base, unit or element and, where practical, for their dependants and for civilians residing in quarters of the base, unit or element.

(2) Subject to any orders issued by the Chief of the Defence Staff and to the requirements of operations and training, a commanding officer of a base, unit or element may authorize the employment of personnel and the use of available equipment, works and buildings to facilitate such programs.

(M)

[4.62 to 4.99 inclusive: not allocated]