St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Early Intervention Program Policy 35.3 PDF

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Early Intervention Program Policy 35.3 Effective Date: 06/30/2006 Amended Date: 12/23/2022 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 35.1.9 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: FMJS: Discussion: The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office recognizes enormous stresses of t...

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Early Intervention Program Policy 35.3 Effective Date: 06/30/2006 Amended Date: 12/23/2022 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 35.1.9 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: FMJS: Discussion: The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office recognizes enormous stresses of the law enforcement profession and the challenges it presents. The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a proactive program designed to identify employees who have received multiple complaints or been involved in multiple events within the criteria established by this policy, and for employees who may require assistance through additional training due to performance. The EIP is nonpunitive, and intended to assist employees that may require assistance related to behavior, remedial training or other corrective action. [35.1.9] DEFINITIONS Agency – Refers to St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office GENERAL [35.1.9, b, d].1 The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is an important tool to assist the agency in addressing areas which may become problematic, and for identifying deficiencies in training and / or policy.  It is not to be used as a disciplinary or punitive measure, nor will it be used to adversely impact an employee’s promotional eligibility.  The fact that an employee has received an Early Intervention Alert does not constitute grounds for discipline.  Discipline should be based upon the facts of a specific incident(s), or for repeated violations of agency policy. Early Intervention Program 35.3 Page 1 of 3 EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (EIP) [35.1.9, c, d].2 All agency employees’ names are entered into the designated Internal Affairs tracking database. An Early Intervention Alert is automatically generated when they meet the criteria listed in this policy..3 The Early Intervention Alert documentation includes, but may not be limited to, Response to Resistance reporting, Citizen Complaints, and At-Fault Traffic Crashes that are entered in an agency computer database..4 Based on current patterns of collected material, the Internal Affairs Lieutenant or designee will forward each Early Intervention Alert through BlueTeam to the affected supervisor who will act as the Sheriff’s designee for review and approval. ROLE OF FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL SUPERVISION [35.1.9, f].5 The first and second levels of supervision are crucial elements to a successful EIP and to encourage the employee to improve..6 First level supervisors are a key component in the early identification of employees with potential problems. First level supervisors will familiarize themselves with their subordinates by direct observation, review, and documentation of demeanor, appearance and conduct..7 Supervisory personnel will be familiar with authorized actions and alternatives they may take in response to personnel exhibiting behavioral problems, with or without information provided through the EIP. BLUETEAM ALERT [35.1.9, a, b, f].8 Upon receipt of the BlueTeam Alert, the supervisor will consider the below criteria when determining the need for a review:  A sworn employee involved in Response to Resistance events of: three (3) or more within a two (2) month period or five (5) or more within a four (4) month period.  An employee receives two (2) or more Internal Affairs complaints within a six (6) month period or three (3) within a twelve (12) month period.  An employee is involved in two (2) agency vehicle crashes within a six (6) month period and three (3) in a twelve (12) month period.  An employee is involved in two (2) or more pursuits within a six (6) month period or three (3) pursuits within a twelve (12) month period.  An employee receives two (2) or more consultation forms within a four (4) month period or three (3) or more consultation forms within a six (6) month period or five (5) or more within a twelve (12) month period.  An employee receives an unsatisfactory annual evaluation.  An employee receives disciplinary action stemming from two (2) events within a six (6) month period or three (3) events within a twelve (12) month period. Early Intervention Program 35.3 Page 2 of 3.9 If the supervisor review determines an employee should have an intervention, they will meet with the employee and document their applicable actions in the BlueTeam summary:  Agency-wide Training  Research into development of trends  Policy Revision  Recommend to Internal Affairs  Remedial Training [35.1.9, g]  Supervisory Counseling [35.1.9, f]  EAP referral per policy 22.10 Personnel Actions [35.1.9, h].10 The supervisor will:  Complete the BlueTeam summary stating they have met with the affected employee and state the recommendation(s).  Forward the BlueTeam Alert and supporting documentation to the affected employee’s Division Director via the chain of command..11 If the supervisor review determines the employee actions which triggered the alert were appropriate they will notate the following in the BlueTeam summary:  No action recommended  Forward the BlueTeam Alert to the Internal Affairs Group in BlueTeam ROLE OF THE DIVISION DIRECTOR.12 The employee’s Division Director will review the recommendation, take appropriate action, and forward the BlueTeam Alert with documentation to Internal Affairs.  The Division Director reserves the right to take further action, if appropriate. ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM.13 Annually, the Internal Affairs Lieutenant will ensure an evaluation of the Early Intervention Program is completed and submitted to the Sheriff. [35.1.9, e] ____________________ Robert A. Hardwick Sheriff Early Intervention Program 35.3 Page 3 of 3