300-35 Phase Down Program

Question 1

The Phase Down Program (PDP) is a precursor to retirement wherein officers who are eligible for retirement may elect to…

Officers entering the PDP elect an option (A, B, C, or Deferred Cash-Out) as addressed herein and in the Meet and Confer Agreement.

Answer 1

take leave and extend the payment of their accrued paid time off (PTO) and compensatory leave bank prior to actual separation from the department.

Question 2

Date Certain.

Answer 2

The date established on which an officer’s employment with the department is scheduled to end. This date shall not be extended by the employee for any reason.

Question 3

Deferred Cash-Out (DCO) Option.

Answer 3

The default method for all officers retiring if not choosing to participate in any other Phase Down Program option. The Deferred Cash-Out option replaces the traditional lump sum cash payout typically referred to as “drag up pay.”

Question 4

Hourly Rate.

Answer 4

The rate calculated at base and longevity pay only. It is calculated for the purpose of compensating PDP officers for time spent for department or judicially mandated
actions taken in the capacity as a Houston police officer. It shall be paid at the straight time hourly rate in half-hour increments.

Question 5

Phase Down Bank (PDB).

Answer 5

The total amount of hours accumulated for use in the PDP as specified in the current Meet and Confer Agreement.

Question 6

Phase Down Employee Compensation Request Form (PDECRF).

Answer 6

A form available from the Employee Services Division that is used to verify, track, and ultimately compensate a PDP officer for time spent performing official duties related to the officer’s employment as a Houston police officer.

Question 7

Phase Down Program (PDP).

Answer 7

An option to the previous lump sum cash distribution of sick, vacation, and compensatory leave balances which allows officers to take leave and extend the payment of their accrued PTO leave bank and compensatory leave bank balances over a period of time.

Question 8

ELECTION PROCESS

There shall be two PDP periods each calendar year. The periods shall be ____ and _____

Officers interested in the PDP shall review the current Meet and Confer Agreement for details regarding the election process and selection to the PDP.

Officers should also contact the PDP supervisor in the Employee Services Division (ESD) prior to entry into the PDP.

Answer 8

1) January 1 through June 30

2) July 1 through December 31.

Question 9

STATUS OF OFFICERS IN PDP

During the period of time officers are participating in PDP option A or B, officers are considered…

PDP options A and B officers are required to adhere to the same standards, rules, and regulations as any other active officer including adherence to all…

Officers in PDP option A or B shall be subject to drug testing.

Answer 9

1) actively employed by the City of Houston Police Department as police officers.
2) applicable General Orders and Circulars.

Question 10

STATUS OF OFFICERS IN PDP

PDP options A and B are a precursor to retirement and at the time of entry into PDP, officers shall receive a _____ for the end of their PDP.

Officers nearing the end of their PDP who have not transferred to option C or Deferred Cash-Out (DCO) are responsible for contacting the Employee Services Division to initiate the retirement phase _____ days prior to the date certain.

Answer 10

1) date certain

2) 30 calendar

Question 11

STATUS OF OFFICERS IN PDP

Officers participating in PDP option C or DCO are considered retired.

All officers in the PDP are responsible for keeping the Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) Department, Payroll Services Division informed of changes in _____.

Changes to their mailing address and telephone numbers shall be accomplished through Employee Self Service (ESS) or, alternatively, by contacting…

Answer 11

1) direct deposit information

2) ARA’s Payroll Services Division.

Question 12

CONVERSION OF PHASE DOWN BANK BALANCE TO LUMP SUM PAYMENT

While the election to participate in PDP becomes irrevocable, there are circumstances in which a participant may elect to convert the balance of the phase down bank (PDB) to a…

There are also circumstances in which a PDP officer may have participation revoked and receive a…

Answer 12

1) lump sum payment and end participation

2) lump sum payment.

Question 13

CONVERSION OF PHASE DOWN BANK BALANCE TO LUMP SUM PAYMENT

Election by Officer

Officers in PDP option A may elect at any time during their participation to retire and convert their participation to ____.

Officers in PDP option B may elect at any time during their participation to retire and convert their participation to _____

This election to convert to option C or DCO shall be irrevocable and effective on the date designated on the conversion form.

Answer 13

1) option DCO
2) option C or DCO.

[Deferred Cash-Out (DCO) Option]

Question 14

CONVERSION OF PHASE DOWN BANK BALANCE TO LUMP SUM PAYMENT

Election by Officer

If an officer in the PDP is injured in the course and scope of employment as a police officer and the officer suffers an incapacitating injury that endures for ____ days or more, the officer’s election to participate in PDP may be voided and the officer may elect to…

The election shall be at the discretion of the officer.

Answer 14

1) 60 calendar

2) receive a lump sum payment for the balance of the leave bank

Question 15

CONVERSION OF PHASE DOWN BANK BALANCE TO LUMP SUM PAYMENT

Death of Officer

If an officer in PDP dies, the balance of the PDB shall be paid in lump sum to the____.

The value shall be determined based on the value at which it was accrued.

Answer 15

designated beneficiary

Question 16

CONVERSION OF PHASE DOWN BANK BALANCE TO LUMP SUM PAYMENT

Assumption of an Office of Civil Emolument

An officer in option A or B of the PDP who assumes an office of civil emolument shall be listed as retired and converted to participation in option C or DCO effective on the date the officer…

This election is required by law and contract.

Answer 16

takes the oath of office, or assumes the job duties, whichever comes first.

Question 17

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

PTO and PD Hours

During the time an officer is participating in the PDP, the officer shall ____ PTO leave or receive personal days (PD) hours.

Answer 17

not accrue

Question 18

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Other Leave and Compensatory Time

Officers in PDP shall not be eligible for funeral leave or paid military leave and shall be responsible for responding to any jury summons…

Officers in PDP shall not accrue ____ time.

Answer 18

1) on their own time

2) compensatory

Question 19

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Nonapplicable Programs

Officers in PDP shall not be eligible for any ____ pay (specifically, but not limited to, bilingual, hazardous duty, motorcycle allowance, clothing allowance, equipment allowance, or higher classification pay).

Additionally, PDP officers are not eligible for ____ reimbursement.

Answer 19

1) assignment

2) college tuition

Question 20

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Holidays

Officers participating in PDP option A or B shall observe and be paid for City holidays, as designated by City Council, except for the _____holiday, according to the applicable PDP option in the Meet and Confer Agreement.

Such holiday observation shall _____ in the officer’s phase down bank.

Answer 20

1) floating

2) not cause a deduction

Question 21

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Court Attendance

An officer in PDP option ____who is subpoenaed to court based on actions taken in an official capacity as a Houston police officer and ultimately is required to attend court shall abide by the same requirements for court attendance provided in General Order 300-25, Court Attendance and Compensation.

The PDP officer shall complete a Phase Down Employee Compensation Request Form (PDECRF) and forward the original to ARA’s Payroll Services Division and a copy to ESD’s Phase Down Unit.

There is no _____ for a PDP officer. The PDP officer’s court compensation shall be paid at the hourly rate as defined herein.

The Employee Services Division shall contact subpoenaed PDP officers at their last known address and shall document whether they were notified. The Employee Services Division shall also update the Subpoena Issue Tracking System (SITS) as to the PDP officers’ status.

Answer 21

1) A or B

2) minimum court compensation

Question 22

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Other Compensation

Officers in PDP option A or B who are mandated to respond to department requirements for giving statements or attending hearings or meetings related to internal investigations or corrective actions shall be compensated at their ____ as defined herein.

Prior approval for such compensation shall be received from the…

The PDP officer shall complete a PDECRF and forward the original to ARA’s Payroll Services Division and a copy to ESD’s Phase Down Unit.

Answer 22

1) hourly rate

2) Employee Services Division commander (or designee) or a supervisor in the Internal Affairs Division.

Question 23

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Other Compensation

Officers participating in the PDP are not allowed to work any HPD Strategic Officer Staffing Program (SOSP) hours without the prior written approval of the ____.

Officers in PDP option A or B who are approved to work SOSP hours shall be paid at the ____ defined herein.

The PDP officer shall complete a Strategic Officer Staffing Program Compensation
Request form at the division where the SOSP hours are worked.

Officers shall not exceed the combined maximum work hours for extra employment and SOSP hours according to the applicable PDP option in the Meet and Confer Agreement.

Answer 23

1) Chief of Police

2) hourly rate

Question 24

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Processing Day

The ____workday of participation in PDP shall not be deducted from the officer’s leave bank and shall be designated as a processing day.

Answer 24

first

Question 25

PDP COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation issues for PDP officers injured or killed in the course and scope of their employment as a Houston police officer shall be addressed on a ____ according to the applicable laws and agreements in effect.

Answer 25

case-by-case basis

Question 26

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

Officers in PDP option A or B are responsible for meeting all ____standards unless otherwise specified and keeping current with department policies.

Circulars and General Orders may be viewed on the department’s Intranet Portal. In addition, Circulars are posted at all department facilities.

Answer 26

training

Question 27

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

TCOLE Standards

Officers in PDP option A or B shall obtain sufficient in-service training to comply with _____. This training shall be completed on the officers’ _____.

The department shall allow officers to receive the required TCOLE training at the
_____. The department’s training calendar shall be posted on the department’s Intranet Portal and is available from the Employee Services Division.

Officers may also elect to obtain the required TCOLE training at their expense from another accredited source.

Answer 27

1) training standards as required by TCOLE
2) own time and expense
3) Houston Police Academy

Question 28

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

TCOLE Standards

If the department requires officers in PDP to attend in-service courses other than those required by TCOLE, the time spent by the officers at the mandatory training shall _____. Officers shall receive additional compensation at their hourly rate for the hours spent in such training.

Officers shall complete a PDECRF and submit the original to ARA’s Payroll Services Division and a copy to ESD’s Phase Down Unit.

Officers shall be notified by the department of this training requirement by _____, sent to the officers’ last known address as provided by the officer.

Answer 28

1) not be deducted from the officers’ PDB.

2) certified mail, return receipt requested

Question 29

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

TCOLE Standards

Officers shall forward proof of attendance and satisfactory completion of in-service training at a provider other than the Houston Police Academy to the…

Proof of attendance shall be forwarded in such form as required by the LMS Unit (see General Order 300-06, Training - Classified).

Failure to fulfill these requirements may affect peace officer license status and result in disciplinary action up to and including…

Answer 29

1) Learning Management System (LMS) Unit of the Training Division.
2) removal from PDP

Question 30

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

Firearms Qualification

Officers in PDP option A or B shall demonstrate proficiency with their primary duty weapons and any weapons carried in their capacity as an on-duty or off-duty Houston police officer on…

Officers are required to meet the standards outlined in General Order 400-05, Firearms Qualification and Control.

Answer 30

their own time during their birthday month

Question 31

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

Firearms Qualification

Officers in PDP wanting to demonstrate proficiency with their firearms at a site other than one operated by the Houston Police Department Training Division shall seek and obtain prior approval from the _____.

This request and approval shall be in writing. Approvals shall be made on a case-by-case basis. The demonstration of proficiency shall be performed in the officer’s birthday month.

Answer 31

assistant chief responsible for training.

Question 32

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

City Equipment

Officers in PDP option A or B shall be issued _____.

_____ shall remain with the officer in order to maintain the uniform standards of the department.

The quantity and manner of issue shall be similar to that for officers assigned to nonuniformed divisions and remains at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

Officers in PDP option A or B shall retain all HPD issued equipment.

Officers in PDP option C or DCO shall return all City-issued property on or before their processing day.

Answer 32

1) replacement uniforms

2) Personal equipment

Question 33

EXTRA EMPLOYMENT

Officers in PDP option A or B are permitted to obtain extra employment of a police-related or nonpolice-related nature. Extra employment shall require approval of the department and shall be in accordance with the General Orders.

Officers entering PDP option A or B shall have all existing extra employment permits cancelled and…

These PDP officers shall also ensure, if necessary, they have a valid club card as well as a valid traffic control card.

Answer 33

new applications shall be submitted for any and all extra employment.

Question 34

EXTRA EMPLOYMENT

Officers in PDP option A are limited to a combined ___hours of extra employment and SOSP hours during any one-week period (the consecutive 168-hour period beginning with day shift Saturday).

Officers in PDP option B are limited to a combined ___hours of extra employment
and SOSP hours during any one-week period.

Officers in PDP option A or B are required to adhere to the requirements of General Order 300-14, Extra Employment.

Answer 34

1) 40

2) 60