Applicable To: Field Operations Division Supervisors

Approval Authority:  Deputy Chief H.R. Dunovant

Signature:  Signed by HRD

Date Signed:  9/30/2004

1.               PURPOSE

The intent of this directive is to provide Field Operations Division commanders with a sound policy regarding the implementation of the disciplinary process relative to officers’ involvement in an at fault vehicular accidents.  This practice would serve to standardize the process, thus eliminating disparity of discipline.  This directive also serves the dual purpose of reducing the number of vehicular accidents involving personnel assigned to the division.

2.               POLICY

It shall be the policy of the Atlanta Police Department’s Field Operations Division to adhere to the Atlanta Police Department’s progressive discipline policy when imposing discipline to officers for violation of APD.SOP.2010 “Work Rules”, section 4.4.04.  However, in cases whereby there has been demonstrated wanton negligence or poor judgement resulting in substantial vehicular damage, commanders reserve the right to impose a higher-level disciplinary recommendation.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1                             Zone/section commanders will ensure that all employees under their respective commands utilize safe driving techniques, and implement all methods to ensure such.  These methods include, but are not limited to, training and disciplinary action commensurate with the scope and nature of the violation or work rule 4.4.04.

4.                               ACTION

4.1                           Violations of work rule 4.4.04 that result in property or vehicle damage of $10.000.00 or more will necessitate the imposition by the zone commander of two (2) days suspension.  This standard will apply even though the employee may have never been involved in an at fault accident.

4.2                           Violations of work rule 4.4.04 that result in property or vehicle damage of $5,000.00 or more will necessitate the imposition by the zone commander of a one (1) day suspension.  This standard will apply even though the employee may never have been involved in an at fault accident.

4.3                           Violations of work rule 4.4.04 that result in property or vehicle damage of $1,000.00 or more will necessitate the imposition by the zone commander of a written reprimand.  This standard will apply even though the employee may never have been involved in an at fault accident.

4.4                           Progressive discipline would be rendered from the point of each infraction. 

4.4.1           For instance, an employee is involved in a chargeable vehicular accident and the damage exceeds $5,000.00.  If the commander’s investigation reveals that there was wanton negligence or poor judgement, the imposition of a one (1) day suspension is necessary.

4.4.2           A second accident within the reckoning period where the commander’s investigation reveals that was wanton negligence or poor judgement would render a two (2) day suspension.  This would remain regardless of the dollar amount of damage to the vehicle.

4.5              Watch commanders will ensure that all employees that have been sanctioned because of chargeable accidents be required to attend remedial driver training.  This training would occur prefer preferably as soon as possible, or at the Academy Director’s authority.

5.               DEFINITIONS

N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

FOD.CM.03.07
     

7.               REFERENCES

APD.SOP.2010 “Work Rules”, Section 4.4.04

APD.SOP.3152 “Traffic Accident Review Board”