GM 306 Officer Concern Program

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Officer Concern Program?

Answer 1

To identify officers with unacceptable behavioral traits before they develop into disciplinary problems

The program aims for non-punitive departmental intervention efforts.

Question 2

Who has the authority to refer an officer to the Officer Concern Program?

Answer 2

• Chief of Police
• Supervisors
• Computer-generated referrals

Each method has specific criteria for referrals.

Question 3

What are some common reasons for referrals to the Officer Concern Program?

Answer 3

• Complaints of rudeness
• Deterioration of work quality
• Tardiness
• Reasonable suspicion of substance abuse
• Vehicle crashes
• Poor performance evaluations
• EEO complaints
• Tort cases against the City

These reasons indicate unacceptable or undesirable behavioral traits.

Question 4

What is the composition of the Officer Concern Program Board?

Answer 4

• Division Commander (Chairperson)
• Captain
• Lieutenant
• Sergeant
• Detective-Investigator
• Two Police Officers

Board members must have a minimum of five years seniority and no recent suspensions.

Question 5

How many members must be present to conduct a hearing in the Officer Concern Program Board?

Answer 5

Five members

A non-voting Staff Psychologist and a non-voting specialist may also be appointed.

Question 6

What is the role of the Preliminary Review Panel?

Answer 6

To review officer case studies and determine which should be sent to the entire Board for review

The Panel consists of three officers and must have all members present for a review.

Question 7

What happens if the Chief of Police rejects the Board’s recommendation or Plan of Action?

Answer 7

The officer’s status changes to potential candidate

This means the officer may be reconsidered for the program if further complaints arise.

Question 8

What is the Plan of Action in the Officer Concern Program?

Answer 8

A recommended strategy to address an officer’s undesirable behavior

It is developed by the Board if the majority vote is to enter the officer into the program.

Question 9

True or false: The officer’s presence at the Board hearing is optional.

Answer 9

FALSE

The officer’s presence is mandatory, although a supervisory officer may attend voluntarily.

Question 10

What is the duration of the eighteen-month cycle in the Officer Concern Program?

Answer 10

Begins from the date of the complaint which caused the referral

Additional complaints within this period will cause the officer to become a candidate again.

Question 11

What does the annual evaluation of the Officer Concern Program assess?

Answer 11

• Number of officers referred
• Most common method of referral
• Most common remedial action taken
• Effectiveness of the program

The evaluation is presented to the Chief of Police.