- Messages
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- Reaction score
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- 250
Suggestion Title: Internal Reprimands
Suggestion Description: Currently, it is up to the decision of each command team to decide how they conduct Internal Investigations within their own division. Ultimately, almost every policy regarding Infractions within a division is treated way different than an Internal Affairs case, which allows the defendant to face the accusations and defend themselves. For Internal Actions, this is not the case.
What I am suggesting is that there be a set standard from the Chiefs of the Department and Policy Board on how to conduct investigations when it comes to Internal Discipline.
The way it stands, you have more rights in an Internal Affairs case then you do with a Internal Disciplinary case. In an Internal Affairs case, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions, you have the right to be represented by a Senior Member of your command team, you have the right to bring any evidence that is relevant to your case, and most importantly, you have the right to defend yourself from the accusations being made against you.
When speaking about Internal Discipline, you do not have the right to any of these, which seems very unfair for officers. You wake up in the morning, check PLPD Online, to see you have been issued a strike from one of these divisions, without them asking for your side of the story. It, ultimately, does not allow for due process, as division commands can just issue the discipline, like candy.
In addition to all of the above, Command Teams may also issue internal disciplinary action for acts that you have already been disciplined for, which in my opinion, is double punishment. Getting a Reprimand, Written Warning, etc, already makes you feel bad for your actions, but getting an additional punishment for the same incident, just adds salt to the already healing wound.
I have experienced this first hand in, which made me feel like I was not being treated like a member of the "PLPD Family." I got a reprimand for my actions (which I take full responsibility for), and a strike within one of the divisions, for the same incident. While Internal Affairs gathered my side of the story, that division did not take into account my side of the story, allowing me to face the accusations.
Ultimately, the Internal Disciplinary Policies within the PD needs to be changed, to allow the same rights as if you are being investigated by Internal Affairs, mainly the right to defend yourself against the accusations being made against you.
Again, what I am proposing is that the Chiefs of the Department and the Policy Board, work together, with making a policy that sets the guidance for Internal Discipline within Divisions and ensures that you have the rights of any defendant like a Internal Affairs complaint.
Why should this be added?:
I think I listed it above, but you should be given the same rights as a defendant like an Internal Affairs case. You should not also be double punished by Internal Affairs and your division command. However, the last part can be debated.
What negatives could this have?:
I do not see any negatives it could have, but many positives. With a new policy that sets the guidance with Internal Discipline, it will set it in stone on how Internal Discipline needs to be conducted, instead of each Division Command deciding how it is done.
What problem would this suggestion solve?: Again, I stated it above. Everyone should have the right to defend themselves against accusations against them, but most division policies do not state you have this right. It should be.
Suggestion Description: Currently, it is up to the decision of each command team to decide how they conduct Internal Investigations within their own division. Ultimately, almost every policy regarding Infractions within a division is treated way different than an Internal Affairs case, which allows the defendant to face the accusations and defend themselves. For Internal Actions, this is not the case.
What I am suggesting is that there be a set standard from the Chiefs of the Department and Policy Board on how to conduct investigations when it comes to Internal Discipline.
The way it stands, you have more rights in an Internal Affairs case then you do with a Internal Disciplinary case. In an Internal Affairs case, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions, you have the right to be represented by a Senior Member of your command team, you have the right to bring any evidence that is relevant to your case, and most importantly, you have the right to defend yourself from the accusations being made against you.
When speaking about Internal Discipline, you do not have the right to any of these, which seems very unfair for officers. You wake up in the morning, check PLPD Online, to see you have been issued a strike from one of these divisions, without them asking for your side of the story. It, ultimately, does not allow for due process, as division commands can just issue the discipline, like candy.
In addition to all of the above, Command Teams may also issue internal disciplinary action for acts that you have already been disciplined for, which in my opinion, is double punishment. Getting a Reprimand, Written Warning, etc, already makes you feel bad for your actions, but getting an additional punishment for the same incident, just adds salt to the already healing wound.
I have experienced this first hand in, which made me feel like I was not being treated like a member of the "PLPD Family." I got a reprimand for my actions (which I take full responsibility for), and a strike within one of the divisions, for the same incident. While Internal Affairs gathered my side of the story, that division did not take into account my side of the story, allowing me to face the accusations.
Ultimately, the Internal Disciplinary Policies within the PD needs to be changed, to allow the same rights as if you are being investigated by Internal Affairs, mainly the right to defend yourself against the accusations being made against you.
Again, what I am proposing is that the Chiefs of the Department and the Policy Board, work together, with making a policy that sets the guidance for Internal Discipline within Divisions and ensures that you have the rights of any defendant like a Internal Affairs complaint.
Why should this be added?:
I think I listed it above, but you should be given the same rights as a defendant like an Internal Affairs case. You should not also be double punished by Internal Affairs and your division command. However, the last part can be debated.
What negatives could this have?:
I do not see any negatives it could have, but many positives. With a new policy that sets the guidance with Internal Discipline, it will set it in stone on how Internal Discipline needs to be conducted, instead of each Division Command deciding how it is done.
What problem would this suggestion solve?: Again, I stated it above. Everyone should have the right to defend themselves against accusations against them, but most division policies do not state you have this right. It should be.
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