HPM 10.02 Internal Investigations Manual Flashcards
An official inquiry, utilizing departmental resources, into alleged misconduct by a departmental employee. This is what kind of investigation?
Internal Investigation.
(Chap. 2)
A formal investigation into alleged criminal misconduct. May lead to exoneration, or recommendation of criminal prosecution (with concurrence of Office of Commissioner). This is what kind of investigation?
Criminal Investigation.
(Chap. 2)
A formal investigation into alleged violations of policies, procedures, or poor performance. This is what kind of investigation?
Administrative Investigation.
(Chap. 2)
An Administrative Investigation has how many possible outcomes? And what are they?
Four possible outcomes, which are:
1- Adverse Action
2- Rejection During Probation
3 - Miscellaneous Investigation
4 - Nonpunitive Termination
(Chap. 2)
A disciplinary legal action taken in response to an employee’s misconduct, or continued failure to meet the rules of conduct, established by law and/or departmental policy, is known as what?
Adverse Action.
(Chap. 2)
What are the penalties of an Adverse Action?
- Formal Written Reprimand
- Suspension
- Reduction in Salary
- Demotion
- Involuntary Transfer
- Dismissal
(Chap. 2)
A ______ , or connection, between the act(s) and the individual’s employment with the Department. The Department shall only administratively investigate allegations of misconduct when this has been established.
Nexus to Employment.
(Chap. 2)
What circumstances establish a nexus to the department?
Uniformed and Nonuniformed Employees:
-The misconduct occurred while the employee was on duty, regardless of location or assignment.
-While off-duty, an individual’s employment status is affirmatively established by an overt act.
-Off-duty misconduct which relates to the employee’s job duties
Uniformed employees:
- All criminal acts, whether on or off-duty.
Nonuniformed employees:
-Off-duty criminal act which resulted in conviction for a felony, OR crime of moral turpitude.
(Chap. 2)
True or False:
Knowledge of employment status with the Department is sufficient to establish a nexus.
False. Normally, mere knowledge of employment status with the Department is insufficient to establish a nexus.
(Chap. 2)
The unauthorized absence for five consecutive working days (whether the absence was voluntary or involuntary) and is considered an automatic resignation from state service (effective the last day the employee worked), is known as what?
Absent Without Leave (AWOL).
(Chap. 2)
The compelled, formal, and direct questioning of an employee to determine the facts for an administrative investigation is known as what?
Administrative Interrogation.
(Chap. 2)
A leave of absence initiated by the Department and can be either paid or unpaid leave, is known as what?
Administrative Time Off (ATO).
(Chap. 2)
The Bazemore admonition (may/should/shall) be included in all Memoranda of Direction (MOD) and (may/should/shall) be stated verbatim.
Shall / Shall
(Chap. 2)
What are the two types of a CHP 2, Incident Report?
1 - Commendable. A record of commendable acts, outstanding levels of performance, outstanding accomplishments, or efforts toward self-improvement
2 - Censurable. A record of censurable acts or omissions which is intended to correct inappropriate behavior, conduct, or performance. A CHP 2 shall not be issued if adverse action will be taken against the employee for the same acts
(Chap. 2)
Knowingly providing false statements, making an intentional misrepresentation of facts, or intentionally omitting information of a material nature. (Usually results in dismissal). This is the definition of what?
Dishonesty Allegation.
(Chap. 2)
Any testimony, document (digital or otherwise), or tangible object, which tends to prove or disprove an alleged fact. This is the definition of what?
Evidence.
(Chap. 2)
A memorandum issued to an employee to formally document supervisory counseling pertaining to misconduct, behavior, or poor performance. This memorandum does not normally contain the Bazemore admonition.
Memorandum of Counseling (MOC)
(Chap. 2)
A memorandum issued to an employee to formally document misconduct, behavior, or poor performance, and to provide specific direction to preclude a recurrence. Is remedial or counseling in nature. The Bazemore admonition shall be included in all of these.
Memorandum of Direction (MOD)
(Chap. 2)
A memorandum issued to an employee to formally explain the expectations for conduct or performance. An example would be an officer assigned to a sensitive position in which confidentiality is required. Should not contain Bazemore.
Memorandum of Expectation (MOE)
(Chap. 2)
A memorandum issued to an employee to document the findings of a miscellaneous investigation or civilians’ complaint. Sometimes used when the employee is exonerated of misconduct or when substantiated misconduct does not rise to the level of an MOD. This is also used when an employee resigns and/or retires pending an investigation.
Memorandum of Findings (MOF)
(Chap. 2)
An agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document is known as what?
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
(Chap. 2)
Under the POBR Act Tolling, In order to impose punitive action, the Department must investigate and notify the officer of the proposed discipline within what time frame?
Within one year of discovering the misconduct.
(Chap. 2)
Under GC Section 19635, Adverse Action shall not be valid against any state employee unless notice of AA is served within how many years after the cause of discipline first arose.
Three years.
(Chap. 2)
Mutinous, disrespectful, or contumacious (willfully disobeyed) conduct by an employee. The employee has intentionally and willfully refused to obey an order by a supervisor who is entitled to give and entitled to have obeyed. This is known as what?
Insubordination.
(Chap. 2)
In order to prove this allegation, the Department must prove by a preponderance of evidence the employee made intentional misrepresentations of known facts, or a willful omission of pertinent facts, or a disposition to lie, cheat, or defraud.
Dishonesty.
(Chap. 2)
_______ is intended to modify an employee’s behavior and should instruct and train the employee to act and perform in accordance with established standards of conduct. _________ provides the employee with the tools and awareness to bring performance to an acceptable level.
Progressive Discipline
(Chap. 3)
Whenever an employee’s performance or conduct does not meet established expectations, who should determine if the employee has been provided with adequate training or notice of performance expectations?
The Commander
(Chap. 3)
What are the steps of the progressive discipline process?
1 - first look to prevent poor performance or misconduct,
2 - take corrective action if needed, and
3- finally, take adverse action if the employee does not respond to preventative and/or corrective actions, or the acts of misconduct are severe.
(Chap. 3)
Although not intended to be disciplinary, interim reporting (may/should/shall) be included in the progressive discipline process when substandard performance is an issue.
May.
(Chap. 3)
What is the purpose of Progressive Discipline?
To modify an employee’s behavior. By:
1 - instruct and train the employee to act and perform in accordance with standards of conduct.
2 - provide the employee with the tools and awareness to bring performance to an acceptable
level.
(Chap. 3)
What is the goal of corrective actions?
The goal of written or verbal corrective actions is to:
1 - bring the employee’s performance to an
acceptable level and to
2 - prevent continued misconduct or poor
performance.
(Chap. 3)
During an Informal Counseling session, does the employee have rights to representation?
No. Informal counseling is considered a routine business communication and, therefore, is not subject to the grievance process, nor is the employee entitled to representation.
(Chap. 3)
Supervisors (may/should/shall) document an informal counseling session
Supervisor MAY document the informal counseling of an employee for purposes of memorializing their own activity, i.e., CHP 112, Management Summary.
(Chap. 3)
During an Formal Counseling session, does the employee have rights to representation?
No. Formal counseling is considered a routine business communication and, therefore, is not subject to the grievance process, nor is the employee entitled to representation.
(Chap. 3)
Supervisors (may/should/shall) document a Formal Counseling session
Supervisors SHALL document the formal counseling in the employee’s monthly evaluation form, or documented on MOC if employee does not have one.
(Chap. 3)
A formal counseling session may/should/shall be documented on the supervisor’s evaluation form
A formal counseling session SHOULD be documented on the supervisor’s evaluation form (CHP 112).
(Chap. 3)
A supervisor may/should/shall document Informal Counseling
A supervisor MAY document the informal counseling of an employee for purposes of memorializing their own activity, i.e., CHP 112, Management Summary.
(Chap. 3)
Employees in BU 5 and BU 7 have the right to submit a written response within ____ days to any adverse comment entered into the employee’s personnel file.
30 days.
(Chap. 3)
A copy of employee’s written response to an adverse comment may/should/shall be attached to the corrective documentation
A copy of the employee’s response SHALL be attached to ALL COPIES of the corrective documentation.
(Chap. 3)
What is the lowest penalty in the adverse action process?
Formal Written Reprimand.
(Chap. 3)
A formal written reprimand shall be retained for _____ years as an official part of the employee’s personnel record
Three
(Chap. 3)
May a salary reduction be imposed at any salary step?
No, this penalty is not available for an employee working at the minimum salary for the employee’s classification
(Chap. 3)
A CHP 7, Internal Investigation is used for what actions?
adverse action, rejection during probation, miscellaneous investigation, complaints from departmental personnel, and non-punitive termination.
4-3
The CHP 7E shall be maintained at Division offices for a period of _______ from the __________________ and in a location that ensures confidentiality.
five (5) years; end of the calendar year.
4-3
Whos has primary responsibility for the internal investigation process?
Commanders have the primary responsibility for the
internal investigation process at the command and Division level.
4-3
What circumstances cause an investigation to be conducted?
Whenever information is obtained or uncovered involving
1 -alleged misconduct, or
2 - substandard performance.
4-3
Which command has investigative responsibility to conduct an internal investigation?
The commander of the Area to which the involved employee was assigned at the time of the alleged misconduct. Circumstances may exist in which another commander may be responsible for conducting the investigation.
4-4
Who has responsibility to assign an investigator to an internal investigation?
The commander (or designee) shall assign a
primary investigator in a timely manner.
4-4
Whos must ensure the investigation is afforded sufficient personnel and resources?
Commanders must ensure the investigation is
afforded sufficient personnel and resources.
4-5
Suspense - What is the timeframe an Area has to conduct the investigation before it has to be forwarded to the Office of Internal Affairs (OIA)?
60 calendar days from the date the Area becomes aware of
the misconduct to forward to Office of Internal Affairs (OIA). Should request permission of appropriate Assistant Commissioner for complex cases exceeding 60-days.
4-5
Whenever ANY employee of this Department, including the employee subject to investigation, learns that another law enforcement agency is conducting an inquiry into allegations of criminal misconduct involving a member of the Department, the employee shall immediately notify a supervisor or manager. After notification, the commander shall notify who?
The Office of Internal Affairs (OIA).
4-5
For criminal offenses, what mandatory notifications shall be made by the commander?
1 - the appropriate Division Commander.
2 - the Office of Internal Affairs (OIA).
3 - Office of the Commissioner prior to any contact with a prosecuting authority (through proper channels).
4-6
What are two accepted methods for conducting a criminal
investigation?
1 - Concurrent Investigation - Criminal and Administrative investigations are conducted simultaneously. Advantage is the administrative investigation can be completed more expeditiously.
2 - Consecutive Investigation - criminal investigation is completed and a decision (e.g., rejection or filing of charges) is made by the prosecuting authority prior to initiating the administrative investigation. Advantage is it precludes any improper sharing of information.
4-6
Evidence gathered during an administrative investigation shall not be released to an allied agency without first doing which two things?
Contacting OLA, and only with approval from the Office of the Commissioner.
4-6