Firefighter Bill of Rights
Purpose
- Prohibits unreasonable interrogations
- Ensures that individuals are advised of rights to representation
- Bans unwanted search of personal property
- Bans forced polygraph testing
- Allows recording of interrogations
- Preserves appeal rights
Be informed
Rights
Be mindful of what your rights are and what your employer can and cannot do
You have the right
- To know if you are under investigation
- To representation before answering any questions
- To tape record any questioning
- To have copies of all recordings and transcripts
- To a written offer of immunity from criminal prosecution
- To be questioned on-duty at a reasonable time
- To be reassigned only to another normal department job during any probe
- To review and sign adverse comment in any personnel-related file before it’s submitted
- To attach a response to any adverse comment before it’s submitted
Your employer may not
- Force you to answer questions without representation
- Interrogate you off-duty without compensation
- Subject you to physical or verbal abuse
- Subject you to threats or promise of reward
- Compel you to take a lie-detector test
- Discipline you for refusing to take a lie-detector test
- Search your private space without court order, unless you are present or give consent
- Force you to reveal personal financial data, except by law or court order
Before Questioning, your employer must
- Tell you if you’re under investigation for misconduct
- Tell you if your responses could result in discipline
- Tell you the nature of any possible charges
- Tell you who will be conducting any investigation
- Tell you who will be interrogating you
- Offer you written immunity from criminal prosecution
- Authorize tape recording of any inquiry
Always Ask: “Can This Lead To Disciplinary Action?”
If The Answer Is “Yes,” Ask For Representation
Audiovisual Aids
CPF Informational
Videos
3-4 minute videos to drive home the information discussed thus far