What type of documents are formal communications that pertain to policy changes or promotions?

Formal communications regarding policy changes or promotions are typically classified as general orders. General orders serve as an official means of conveying directives, policies, and procedures within an organization, particularly in public safety and fire services. They are authoritative documents that provide clarity and guidance on significant operational changes, which helps ensure that all personnel are informed and understand the updates to policies or the implications of personnel promotions.

On the other hand, incident reports are usually related to specific events or emergencies that have occurred, documenting the details and outcomes of those incidents. Casual correspondence is more informal and often used for day-to-day communications that do not require the same level of attention or formality as policy matters. Memorandums, while they can also communicate important information, are generally less formal than general orders and may be used for a range of internal communications, not specifically for policy changes or promotions. Thus, general orders are the most appropriate type of document for formal communications regarding these critical organizational updates.