§ A2-3. Complaints against employees; appeals.

(1)

Complaints against employees. A procedure for receiving and processing complaints is hereby established in order to provide adequately for the prompt receipt, investigation, and disposition of complaints against employees of the office of the Marion County Sheriff.

(2)

Procedure with respect to complaints. Any employee of the sheriff is authorized to receive a complaint against any other employee of the sheriff. Each complaint must be reduced to writing and must be resolved as provided in this section.

(a)

If a complaint is received by an employee during regular office hours, the complaint must be referred to the appropriate division commander unless the receiving employee is able to resolve the complaint, in which case the complaint and resolution must be reported in writing to the appropriate division commander.

(b)

If a complaint is received after regular office hours, the complaint must be referred to the shift commander unless the receiving employee is able to resolve the complaint, in which case the complaint and resolution must be reported in writing to the shift commander. The shift commander, in his discretion, shall conduct an investigation to determine if immediate action is needed to preserve the integrity of the office of the sheriff. If immediate action is not required, the complaint must be referred to be the appropriate division commander at the beginning of the next working day, or sooner if required.

(c)

Each complaint must be reviewed by the sheriff with the employee's appropriate chain of command.

(d)

If a complaint is unfounded, a written report must be filed for information only, and a copy of the report must be given to the employee.

(e)

If a complaint is well founded and it is determined that a violation has occurred, the sheriff may decide the appropriate disciplinary action, or the sheriff may refer the matter to the appropriate bureau chief or division commander to decide the appropriate disciplinary action; and the employee must be notified of the proposed disciplinary action as provided in section 1 [A2-1].

(3)

Appeals. If an employee is dissatisfied with a decision regarding disciplinary action resulting from a complaint, the employee may appeal the action to a career service appeals board as provided in section 2[A2-2].

(Laws of Fla., Ch. 87-457, § 3)