When an employing agency has disciplined an officer consistent with the Commission’s penalty guidelines, and certain preconditions have been met, the Commission will recognize the agency discipline and not impose any additional discipline on the officer.
If an officer has been retained by the employing agency after a sustained violation, and the officer has been disciplined by the agency consistent with Commission penalty guidelines, the Commission will defer to the employing agency’s disciplinary action.
The following preconditions must be met prior to the Commission deferring to an agency’s discipline:
- Not have been issued a Letter of Acknowledgment within three (3) years prior.
- Not have been issued a Letter of Guidance within five (5) years prior.
- Not have been disciplined by the Commission within eight (8) years prior.
- The penalty guidelines of 11B-27.005, F.A.C does not specify prospective suspension to revocation as the penalty for the offense.
If the circumstances of the officer’s violation and subsequent agency disciplinary action fall within the above guidelines, then the Commission will issue the officer a Letter of Acknowledgment and no further action will be taken by the Commission.
A Letter of Acknowledgment establishes an understanding by the Commission that the officer’s acts constituted a violation of good moral character and that the agency’s discipline was consistent with the Commission guidelines.
For additional information refer to Rule 11B-27.004(7)(8), F.A.C.