HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOLICY 1003 GRIEVANCES Policy
Jeffersonville Police Department
1003
Policy Manual
Grievances
1003.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the Jeffersonville Police
Department grievance system. The grievance system is intended to facilitate communication and
to promptly and equitably address employee grievances in the workplace.
1003.1.1 GRIEVANCE DEFINED
A grievance is a difference of opinion or dispute regarding the meaning, interpretation or
application of any of the following:
• This Policy Manual
• Rules and regulations governing personnel practices or working conditions
• Workplace issues that do not amount to misconduct under the Personnel Complaints Policy,
such as fraud, waste, abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, or any inappropriate
conduct or practices, including violations that may pose a threat to the health, safety or well-
being of members
Specifically outside the category of grievances are complaints related to alleged acts of sexual,
racial, ethnic or other forms of unlawful harassment, as well as complaints related to allegations
of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic background and other lawfully
protected status or activity that are subject to the complaint options set forth in the Discriminatory
Harassment Policy. Also outside the category of grievances are personnel complaints regarding
any allegation of misconduct or improper job performance against any department employee that,
if true, would constitute a violation of department policy or federal, state or local law, as set forth
in the Personnel Complaints Policy.
1003.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Jeffersonville Police Department to provide a just and equitable system for the
prompt handling of employee grievances without discrimination, coercion, restraint or retaliation
against any employee who submits or is otherwise involved in a grievance.
1003.3 PROCESS
Grievances may be brought by an individual employee or by an employee group representative.
Employees may have representation during the grievance process.
Except as otherwise required under a collective bargaining agreement, if an employee believes
that he/she has a grievance as defined above, that employee shall:
(a) Attempt to resolve the issue through informal discussion with his/her immediate supervisor.
(b) If after a reasonable amount of time, generally seven days, the grievance cannot be
settled by the immediate supervisor, the employee may request an interview with the
appropriate Assistant Chief.
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Jeffersonville Police Department
Policy Manual
Grievances
(c) If a successful resolution is not found with the Assistant Chief, the employee may request
a meeting with the Chief of Police.
(d) If the employee and the Chief of Police are unable to arrive at a mutual solution, the
employee shall proceed as follows:
1. Submit a written statement of the grievance to the Chief of Police and provide a copy
to the employee's immediate supervisor.
2. Include the following information in the written statement:
(a) The basis for the grievance (i.e., the facts of the case).
(b) The allegation of any specific wrongful act and the harm done.
(c) The specific policies, rules or regulations at issue.
(d) The remedy or goal being sought by the grievance.
(e) The supervisor shall provide the employee with a signed acknowledgment of the grievance
that shall include the date and time of receipt.
(f) The Chief of Police and the City Attorney should review the grievance and respond to the
employee within 14 calendar days.
1. The response will be in writing, and will affirm or deny the allegations.
2. The response shall include any remedies, if appropriate.
3. The decision of the City Attorney is considered final.
Nothing herein shall prohibit any member from pursuing a grievance through the provisions of
the collective bargaining agreement. Should a member pursue a grievance under the rules of
this policy, the time for filing a grievance under the collective bargaining agreement shall be
ten (10) business days from the completion, withdrawal, or dismissal of the grievance under this
policy.
1003.4 GRIEVANCE RECORDS
At the conclusion of the grievance process, all documents pertaining to the process shall be
forwarded to the Administration Division for inclusion into a secure file for all written grievances.
Copies of the documents should also be sent to the Human Resources Department.
1003.5 POLICY OR TRAINING IMPLICATIONS
If an employee who participates in the grievance review process identifies any issue that may
warrant an immediate revision to this Policy Manual, a procedural change or an immediate training
need, the employee should promptly notify the Chief of Police in the memorandum.
1003.6 GRIEVANCE AUDITS
The Training Commander should perform an annual audit of all grievances filed the previous
calendar year to evaluate whether any change in policy, procedure or training may be appropriate
to avoid future grievances. The Training Commander should record these findings in a confidential
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Jeffersonville Police Department
Policy Manual
Grievances
memorandum to the Chief of Police without including any identifying information about any
individual grievance.
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Published with permission by Jeffersonville Police Department