What factors are considered in disciplining an officer?
Disciplinary action is administered only in those cases where an allegation of misconduct is sustained. After sustaining an allegation, the members of the employee’s Chain of Command weighs the department’s discipline philosophy as it relates to that employee and event, with the emphasis being to administer fair and consistent discipline. The components of the discipline philosophy include: Consideration of Discipline 1. Employee Motivation Was the employee operating in the public interest? An employee who violates a policy in an effort to accomplish a legitimate police purpose that demonstrates an understanding of the broader public interest inherent in the situation will be given more positive consideration in the determination of consequences than one who was motivated by personal interest. 2. The Degree Of Harm Harm can be measured in a variety of ways. It can be measured in terms of the monetary cost to the department and community. It can be measured in terms of the personal inju
