Emergency Suspension:

Any commander or supervisor has the authority to impose emergency suspension until the next business day against a member or employee when it appears that such action is in the best interest of the department. Any person so suspended shall be instructed to report to the office of their division deputy chief, assistant chief or the chief at 0900 hours on the next business day unless circumstances dictate a different course of action. The commanding officer recommending or imposing the suspension will report at the same time. The final department authority and responsibility rests with the chief of police. This procedure provides for immediate disciplinary action against those members who fail to comply with department policies where it is appropriate to take immediate action. Such action shall be imposed by the immediate supervisor or the highest-ranking officer of the unit or member acting in such capacity.

Procedures:

The emergency suspension of an employee is limited to suspending the member for that one day without pay.

Discretion will be exercised in the application of this authority and suspension will normally be resorted to only when the offending member has failed to respond to less drastic methods. Care must always be taken to ensure that critical assignments are not left uncovered as result of a suspension action.

Progressive disciplinary action would suggest the following measures (greater penalty may be justified, either because of the circumstances or because of the offender’s accumulative record):

First Instance

Oral Warning

Second Instance

Oral Reprimand

Third Instance

Written Reprimand

Fourth Instance

Emergency Suspension

In all of the above instances, a regressive calendar will be used.

Example:

If an employee reports late to work (unexcused tardiness) on this date (6/21/10), the key element would be how many times were they late over the past year using the current date as the starting point. If it was the first time, they would receive an oral warning. If it was the fourth occurrence, they would receive an emergency suspension and be instructed to report to the assistant chief’s office at 0900 hours on the next business day unless circumstances dictate a different course of action.

Action under this subdivision will not bar recommendation for a more severe penalty by higher authority when it is felt that such discipline is being used to cover a transgression warranting a more severe penalty or dismissal. If a greater penalty results, any preliminary discipline served will be taken into account in fixing the larger penalty.

When the highest-ranking officer of the unit imposes emergency suspension under the provisions of this order, they will notify their commander, but they need not notify internal affairs nor obtain a control number. No statement need be taken from the offender.

When action is taken under this subdivision, a report will be immediately forwarded to the personnel officer.

Nothing in this subdivision is meant to take away from a supervisor the prerogative of correcting, admonishing or reprimanding a subordinate whenever suspension is not warranted by the nature or circumstances of the incident.

Revised May 22, 2019

Last Edited: June 10, 2019