Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 26.3 Early Intervention System PDF

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM (EIS) GENERAL ORDER: 26.3 EFFECTIVE: NOVEMBER 2, 2021 SUPERSEDES: JULY 5, 2017 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: NONE PAGES:...

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM (EIS) GENERAL ORDER: 26.3 EFFECTIVE: NOVEMBER 2, 2021 SUPERSEDES: JULY 5, 2017 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: NONE PAGES: 3 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM II. EVALUATION III. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for establishing an Early Intervention System to identify mem- bers who may require proactive intervention efforts. SCOPE: This order applies to all members. DISCUSSION: An Early Intervention System is an essential component in a well-managed law enforcement agency. The early identification of potential problems and a menu of remedial actions can increase agency accountability and offer members a better opportunity to meet the agency’s val- ues and mission statement. Any time the Early Intervention System is activated pursuant to this gen- eral order, the totality of the circumstances surrounding each incident and/or complaint should be considered, drawing on general knowledge of human behavior, agency policies and procedures, and wisdom gained from years of law enforcement experience. The process should include a recognition that there are circumstances when use of force is necessary and proper, and that there are occasions when false accusations may be made against members by citizens. The Early Intervention System will not be used for disciplinary purposes. The activation of the EIS does not necessarily indicate a problem with the involved member, nor is it intended to be punitive, but may merely suggest a pat- tern exists that bears investigation or monitoring. 1  G.O. 26.3 POLICY: The Professional Standards Unit will review all complaints of misconduct, use of force, vehicle pursuits, and agency crashes, to identify members who have a pattern of involvement in high stress or high liability situations. PROCEDURE: I. EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM: The Professional Standards Unit Inspector, or designee, will monitor the number of complaints of misconduct, use of force reports, vehicle pursuits, and agency crashes in an effort to identify potential problems. A. Activation: The EIS will be activated if: 1. Any member is the focus of three administrative investigations of misconduct, or is in- volved in three agency crashes, within twelve months; 2. Any certified law enforcement member is involved in: a. Three vehicle pursuits within a six-month period as the primary unit; b. Nine uses of force within a six-month period. B. Reporting: The Professional Standard Unit inspector, or designee, will complete an Early In- tervention System Notification Form [PSO 1-0048] (Annex A) when the EIS criterion is reached, and forward it to the appropriate commander. The commander will review the notification and forward the Notification Form down the chain of command to the appropriate supervisor. The su- pervisor will discuss the EIS notification with the involved member and review available interven- tion options. Options include, but are not limited to: 1. General order, policy/procedure review; 2. Remedial training; 3. Counseling; 4. Informal EAP referral; 5. Fitness for duty evaluation; 6. Off-duty/extra duty employment restriction; or 7. No action necessary. C. Supervisors: First and second level supervisors are crucial elements of a successful EIS. Therefore, discussions with the involved member should ideally be conducted at this level. 2  G.O. 26.3 1. The Early Intervention System does not preclude a supervisor from initiating corrective or punitive action, however, any action taken may not be based solely on information contained in the Early Intervention System notification. 2. Supervisors will note on the EIS Notification Form the results of the discussions with the involved member, including any recommended remedial action. The completed EIS notification form will then be forwarded to the appropriate commander for review and approval. D. Component Commander: The Commander will forward the completed EIS Notification Form to the Professional Standards Unit within fourteen (14) days of receipt. E. Disposition: The Professional Standards Unit will maintain a file of completed EIS Notifica- tion Forms. II. EVALUATION: The Professional Standards Unit inspector will evaluate the Early Intervention System during January of each year. Any recommended changes or modifications will be forwarded to the Sheriff by February 1. III. GLOSSARY: EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM (EIS) - A program designed to identify members who are in- volved in multiple incidents involving the use of force, vehicle pursuits, agency crashes, or allega- tions of misconduct. INDEXING: EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM EIS DRAFTED: LAM / May 19, 2021 / Filed: 26.3 Early Intervention System APPROVED: _______________ CHRIS NOCCO, SHERIFF PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA 3