Agencies should establish a written directive system in order to inform officers of what is expected of them in the performance of their duties, to provide guidance to them in performing such duties, and to establish the basis for employee accountability and the means to fairly evaluate officer and unit performance. Agencies should formally document the structure and component parts of the written directive system in a manner that will increase its utility and application and provide for continuity in its development. 

These documents define the structure and application of an agency’s written directive system (WDS) and provide officers and other employees with a better understanding of its importance, use, and applicability. 

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