Read the Full Disciplinary Matrix Here
Find out more about the Disciplinary Matrix.
A disciplinary matrix is a set of guidelines for discipline of RPD officers. The PAB wrote a disciplinary matrix as required by law and is now seeking public comment.
Why should you participate in public input?
The disciplinary matrix should reflect community values and we need your input. This is the first draft and we will use your comments to write a stronger second draft.
Feedback We Need Most
All community feedback is valued and important, but certain feedback helps us more. We’re most interested in comments on the discipline outcomes or penalties, see below for examples:
- Do the outcomes/penalties match the misconduct?
- Are the outcomes/penalties the right kind of response to misconduct?
Important Aspects of The Matrix
Our matrix has defined outcomes called “presumptive outcomes” for every general order and every rule and regulation
The Board or chief can change the outcome/penalty. They must give a reason why.
An officer should be charged with the “most severe appropriate charge” which means the most specific rule, or order that applies to what they did wrong in the highest category.
Process for Public Input
Click here for Notice of Public Input.
We accept comments about the entirety matrix. Comments are prioritized in the first 60 days.
Thank you for participating in the conversation! For more information on our rules and regulations for comments please see our Terms of Participation.
Methodology (How the matrix was created)
The PAB researched:
- what our city charter requires;
- what other cities have done;
- what the law says;
- what the RPD rules say;
- how RPD uses their current rules;
- what academics and experts say; and
- what the community has to say about the matrix.
You can download a public input form for written comments here.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, please enter in “N/A” in the ‘Name’ field below.
I would read the very first sentence very carefully…..
NO member or employee shall NOT violate (???)…double negative read as if you want them to violate the law?
Misconduct Level
1.1(a) No member or employee shall not violate or attempt to violate a law of the United States of America, or of this state, or any laws, local laws or ordinances of the jurisdiction in which he may be present, or violate or attempt to violate any authoritative instruction, current directive, rule or regulation, policy or procedure, general or special order, or any other lawful order.
Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to teach people to change their behavior. So, rewarding police officers who deescalate situations will encourage others to act accordingly. Perhaps providing them a yearly bonus for having no or fewer incidents would be a good incentive.
However, a demotion is definitely appropriate for police misconduct that harms someone without justified probable cause. It can teach other officers that the behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Suspensions are too lenient and just reinforce police misconduct, but the threat of a demotion will more likely discourage the misconduct.
Officers who are to be terminated should be required to be retrained in some type of police misconduct program before being allowed to transfer departments.
Ideas like providing a public service or apology are not enough to garner behavioral changes.
Officers who successfully use a taser to deescalate a situation and complete an arrest instead of a firearm should be rewarded for their actions with a monetary bonus.
Officers who have multiple offenses must be mandated to have their body cameras on at all times. These offenses must be reviewed and be shared transparently with the public.
Well said ! We need to change the response from Predator to pray. Police should not act like predators because citizens are not the prey. Training and attitude is what we need to look for when we hire policemen.
I agree and being that Louise Slaughter was gonna put an H R Bill fir me and my daughter against Pokive Brutality it shiyld be a main part of Training to know that The Demilitarization of Military Weapons ro Peace Officer’s job is not a good way to prevent violence Abuse and abusive Situations and Circumstances that derive from alrwasy laws also before judges that oermit and allow illegal legalism in jusicial misconduct and they to should alsi be invouded in the Wrong Doungs if cops and be jusged as they jusge certain people that fight back considering that my case helped Daniel Prude for Abuse of law and muser but mo attempted murder charges for Detective nor for Lovely who said someone do something with her because she gets on my nerves. Well ahe also stile HUD MONEY WITH THE CITY OFDIVUALS WHO ALSO PROTECTED THEM WHEN WRONG BUT THE WHOLE TIME I WAS RIGHT AND IF A JUDGEMENT AGAINST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS USED TO WIN A CASE THAT WAS ANUSWD USING THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE TO PREVENT A LAWSUIT BUT WIN USING THAT CASE SHOULD GO BACK AND DERIVE THE MAIN POINT IF ACTIONS TO AND TOWARDS ABUSE IN CITY GIVERNMWNT TO HOLD A KKK TRIAL BUT USE IT AND BE JUDGED AS HATE CRIMES MY FAMILY SHOULD BE AWARDED PRACTICALLY CHATHES OFF ALL COPS SINCE IT HELPED WIN ANPRECEDENT LAW OF RACIST COPS THAT I AND MY CASE.PROVED FOR DANIEL PRUDE AND THE WHOLE CASE SHOULD BE ON TRIAL AGAIN AND LAWYERS SYME DISNARRED FOR KISSING RAINBOW ASS JUST ASK JUDGE RAINBOW BAILOR WHO SHOOK MY HAND FOR WINNING TWICE. ITS A LOT MORE I HAVENT PRESENTED AS CRIMES CONSIDERING I WAS THREATENED ON THE CITY WEDSITE BY THE POLICE.
ITS WORTH A SUPREME COURT DECISION AND I KNOW I WOULD WIN AND ALL PARTIES INVKUDING MAYORS IFFICES AND LEADERS ALL BE ARRESTED FOR AIDING AND ABBETTING PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN CORRUPTION AND IT’S CORRUPTIVE LAW PRACTICES IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AS I WANT THIS JUDICIAL SYSTEM.OUT ON TRIAL ASNITS ALREADY BEEN PROVEN TO BE RACIST POLICE DEPARTMENT HEALTHCARE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GOD KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED FOR UNRIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR.
CHANGE THE SYSTEM