HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-05-06 CSB SPECIAL HEARING•
•
•
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
OTHERS:
BOARD OF CAREER SERVICE COMMISSIONERS
May 6, 1986
SPECIAL HEARING
Tom Fitzpatrick, Janet Kerzic, JoEllen Turner,
Cathy Pokraka
Don Weber
Peter Juenemann, EEA/AFSCME President
Michael Gruninger, EFFA President
John Knoth
Mel BeVirt, Employee Relations Director
Gary Kasson, EPBA President
Commissioner Pokraka called the meeting to order. A roll call
vote was taken and a quorum was established
The purpose of the meeting was three-fold. The first item on the
agenda was Commissioner's Choice. A letter of resignation from
Chairman Don Weber was received. Commissioner Fitzpatrick moved
to accept the resignation effective today. Commissioner Kerzic
seconded. The vote was unanimous.
For the record, Commissioner Pokraka received the letter last
Friday evening and it was dated earlier. The letter will be on
file with the Recording Secretary and available to anyone who
wishes to see it.
There was discussion of the selection of a new chairperson.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated that the Board would be opening
the position to any member of the community and a notice would be
placed in the Sentinel. Interviews will be conducted at a later
date and the majority decision will rule. The requirements are
outlined in Charter 138.3 was read.
Commissioner Kerzic moved to place an ad in the Sentinel.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick seconded and the vote was unanimous.
The next order of business was the Carter decision. The formal
and written decision was accepted. Commissioner Turner moved and
Commissioner Fitzpatrick seconded to accept the written decision
as previously read and so attached. The vote was unanimous.
Commissioner Kerzic moved to adjourn. The Board conducted
further business as noted in other minutes.
/ " ./ r /~ ".; ./ '
Cathy Pokraka, Vice Chairman
BEFORE THE
CAREER SERVICE BOARD
OF THE
CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OF THE
DISCIPLINARY APPEAL
OF JASPER CARTER
)
)
)
FINDINGS
AND
DECISIONS
This is an appeal from a disciplinary suspension,
transfer of shift and revocation of duty work privileges, imposed
on Jasper Carter, Police Officer employed by the City of
Englewood.
A hearing was held before the career Service Board on
April 16, 1986. The City appeared by Police Chief, Robert Holmes
and the Appellant appeared in person.
On March 14, 1986, Police Chief Robert Holmes imposed
three working days suspension from duty without pay, transfer to
watch I until further notice and revocation of all off-duty work
privileges for 90 days. The disciplinary action was based on an
incident, while on duty, which occurred on February 27, 1986, in
Englewood, Colorado.
The witness, a Sergeant in the Police Department of the
City, testified that he came upon Jasper Carter parked in his
patrol car by a building in the 2500 block of s. Tejon Street,
February 27, 1986, after trying to get Jasper Carter's attention
twice, observed that he had been sleeping. The Sergeant then
spoke to Jasper Carter in the form of an oral reprimand about the
reasons why he had been sleeping on duty. As no time did Carter
state that he had not been sleeping on duty.
In the charge statement by the City, "It was discovered
that on a regular basis you have not been calling out and
notifying dispatch when making building checks, and in some
cases, you have inappropriately logged business checks on your
Daily Field Activity Report." Evidence submitted, Appellant
Exhibit B, states, "The Officer must advise radio of his location
the concern he has."
Testimony from the City sated that in a meeting with
Officer Jasper Carter, he was uncooperative and exhibited less
than desirable behavior.
In the City;'s review of personnel records, no
documentation was submitted for incidents referred to in 1981 and
1983. For the other incidents, City Exhibit 2 and Appellant
Exhibit c were submitted.
•
•
•
..
•
•
•
Officer Jasper Carter admitted that he had fallen
asleep on February 27, 1986, and that he had been asleep on two
other separate occasions, one of which caused a non-injury
traffic accident while driving a police vehicle.
In Officer Carter's testimony, he stated that there is
some misinterpretation of the business check policy and
procedure.
In cross-examination of the City's witnesses, Officer
Jasper Carter questioned the opinions as to whether he had been
uncooperative.
On items of review of his personnel file, Officer
Carter admitted to their accuracy.
In review, the Career Service Board recognizes Jasper
carter's concern that he had not received a pink copy of the P.I;
testimony did indicate he was, in fact, notified verbally of an
investigation being conducted. Officer Carter's testimony showed
a great concern for charges and/or statements within the P.I.
The City only formally charged him with those which were listed
in the findings of fact.
The decision of the Career Service Board regarding the
disciplinary appeal of Jasper Carter and the letter of charges of
March 14, 1986 from Robert R. Holmes, Chief of Police to Officer
Jasper Carter is based on Officer Carter's own admission of guilt
that these charges were accurate and justified.
The Board finds that the City's disciplinary action,
though lenient in view of the documentation of progressive
disciplinary actions in the past, should be upheld as stated in
the letter of charges.
Officer Jasper
decision to the District
Cwc.1 /7 -). c:d-6.,! a/4_
cathyJM. Pokraka
Vice Chairperson
J <' j 1. / ./7< ~r. L [ U -~, ~~ -[.·"!..--h-<'.-'3..--="'
J!?El~en.Turner
oomm1ss1oner
Carter has the right to appeal this
court should he sire to 'so.
I
~a.le a.~~
TOm Fitzpatrick '"j '
Commissioner
Don Weber (not participating)