New to the 2022 seminar is a four-hour module specifically designed for recently appointed Internal Investigators, focusing on what they need to know to succeed in their new assignment. Called “Foundations,” this educational module is designed to help new investigators understand legal parameters and review proven practices when conducting Internal Investigations, including Disciplinary issues. Whether newly assigned to Internal Investigations or an experienced investigator, the 2022 AELE seminar is a must for your continued professional development.
The 2022 revised and updated seminar content brings to life through lectures, case studies, and panel discussions the realities of investigating in a political environment where “politics” and social pressures test one’s ethics, biases, and challenge outdated so-called “best practices.” What biases do you bring to the investigation, to disciplinary actions, and to how you navigate the organizational cultures of the agency, both formal and informal?
Using actual and hypothetical case studies, attendants and seminar faculty will discuss ethical, political, organizational, and other important topics and how they impact decision-making. Sensitive subjects that no one likes to discuss, let alone investigate, include employee sexual misconduct, gender and racial harassment and discrimination, hostile work environments, retaliation, and investigator and administrator bias. Evidence- and legal-based solutions serve as foundations for analysis and for possible solutions during open, interactive, and engaging discussions.
The content and the approach of this AELE seminar is unlike previous “Discipline and Internal Investigations” seminars, so enroll today because its contemporary topics involve detail analysis, involve evidence- and legal-based solutions, and include active audience participation. For example, when is an “internal investigation” not one? What happens to careers when the wrong culpability standard or the wrong constitutional standard serves as a basis for criminal or disciplinary recommendations?
Often, internal investigators and administrators face tough decision-making when confronted with events that happen once in an officer’s career (think, arrest-related death). Then, there is the employee who habitually engages in misconduct. Why is (s)he still employed? Learn how to spot internal investigation and policy missteps that help daring employees keep their jobs. At times it is not the investigator who missteps, but supervisors. Improper training of supervisors on how to objectively evaluate employees is often another pitfall. Another potential pitfall is relying on in-house “experts” who may agree with the actions of an accused officer because of implicit or clear bias.
Select Topics and Presenters
“Internal Affairs Organization – Policies and Procedures”: TBA
“Structure of an IA Investigation – Blueprint”: TBA
“Foundations” module (e.g., Brady, Giglio, legal concerns, policies, training, etc.)”: Rodney Hill, Esq; JEB Brown, Esq.
“Internal Affairs Investigations from a Chiefs Perspective”: Chief Larry Gonzalez (Riverside, CA Police Department)
“Internal Quality Assessments of the IA Function”: Captain Ron Sanchez (LAPD, ret.)
“Constitutional Policing and Accountability”: Mary S. Izadi, Esq.
“The Impact of Internal Investigations and Discipline on Consent Decree Decisions”: TBA
“Ethical and Bias Considerations for Internal Investigators”: John G. Peters, Jr., Ph.D.
“Pros and Cons of Relying on In-House Subject Matter Experts”: Jeffrey Martin, Esq.
“Ancillary Legal Issues (Double Jeopardy; Due Process Rights; Liberty/Name Clearing Hearings; Suspension / Suspension Hearings; Loudermill Rights; LEO Bill of Rights)”: TBA
Case Studies
“Ask the Panel”: Presenters
Plus, more