ROCKY HILL FIRE
DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Disciplinary Guidelines
Purpose: To provide disciplinary policies,
guidelines, and procedures for the Rocky Hill Fire Department
Scope: This policy applies to all members. Line and
staff officers are charged with the responsibility of establishing and maintaining discipline within
the organization.
Policy: The following shall be in effect for all
fire department activities and functions:
- All members shall act
with the appropriate degree of decorum at all times and shall not
embarrass the department from actions either on or off duty.
- Officers’ treatment of
their subordinates shall be impartial and without prejudice. Favoritism will not be tolerated
- No unfair advantage shall
be taken of a subordinate because of their obligation to obedience.
- Officers shall see that
rules are enforced.
- Disciplinary action
shall be taken for any offence of a serious nature; minor or technical
infractions of the rules shall be corrected on the spot or privately when
advisable. These types of
infractions shall not be made the subject of disciplinary action unless
repeated or persisted.
- Alleged ignorance or
misunderstanding of the rules will not be accepted as an excuse. Previous conduct good or bad shall be
taken into account when determining a penalty.
- Whenever member
performance, attitude, work habits, or personal conduct falls below a
desirable level, Officers shall inform this member promptly and
specifically of the lapses and give guidance or assistance. If appropriate and justified, a
reasonable period of time for improvement may be allowed before initiating
disciplinary action.
- A specific incident may
justify severe disciplinary action in and of itself. The action taken depends on the
seriousness of the incident and the whole pattern of the member’s past
conduct and performance.
Violations
of conduct: Include but are not limited
to the following:
- Violation of any rule,
regulation, policy, or lawful order from a superior officer.
- Inefficiency or
incapacity in the performance of duty.
- Neglect of duty.
- Reporting for drill or
calls while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Refusal to obey orders.
- Careless or reckless
operation of apparatus.
- Speaking
disrespectfully to or of an officer or member of the RHFD.
- Making a false
statement or report.
- Thievery-The taking of
property belonging to the department or an individual.
- Conduct prejudicial to
good order or discipline such as
- Disorderly behavior
- Provoking, harmful, or
mischievous behavior.
- Threatening, fighting,
or assault.
- Arguing with a
superior officer.
- Creating a
discrediting spectacle
- Violation of existing
town policies
- Tampering with
property or belongings of others.
- Hazing
- Or other acts deemed
detrimental by a superior officer.
Charges
or complaints brought against a person of higher rank shall be made in writing
to the Company captain of Chief. The
accuser shall sign such charges.
When
found to be in violation of the above, the member shall be subject to
disciplinary action which can include the following.
Written
reprimand—Shall consist of a written statement of reprimand delivered to the
member. A copy shall be
placed in the member’s personnel file and shall become part of their permanent record.
Suspension—Shall
consist of a written notice to the member to the effect that they are suspended
from all
activities for a specified period.
Any member who is
arrested and charged with a felony shall be removed from service until the end of the trial.
Demotion—Shall
consist of a written statement notifying the member of the demotion and the
grounds for this
action. A copy of the letter will be
placed in the member’s permanent record.
Dismissal—Shall
consist of a written statement to the member, which shall state the dismissal
and grounds for this
action.
This
policy is intended to provide clarity to the existing division by-laws.
Date:
10-06
Proponent:
RHFD Staff
Replaces:
New
Review:
Yearly