Policy Text
Policy
1017Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentFitness for Duty - 1Fitness for Duty
1017.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
All officers are required to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might
adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all
officers of this department remain fit for duty and able to perform their job functions (Government
Code § 1031).
It is not the intention of this policy to interfere with a supervisor's ability to recommend or suggest
personal counseling to a subordinate, nor is this policy intended to alter or replace confidential
counseling provided by the department as a result of critical incidents. Additionally, this policy
is not intended as a substitute for, or to preclude the department from, imposing discipline for
employee misconduct.
1017.2 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)It shall be the responsibility of each member of this department to maintain good
physical condition sufficient to safely and properly perform essential duties of their
position.
(b)Each member of this department shall perform his/her respective duties without
physical, emotional, and/or mental constraints.
(c)During working hours, all employees are required to be alert, attentive, and capable
of performing his/her assigned responsibilities.
(d)Any employee who feels unable to perform his/her duties shall promptly notify a
supervisor. In the event that an employee believes that another employee is unable
to perform his/her duties, such observations and/or belief shall be promptly reported
to a supervisor.
(e)An employee is not required to disclose a disability to a supervisor; however, a
supervisor may inquire regarding the conduct, behavior or circumstances that give
rise to his or her concerns.
1017.3 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)A supervisor observing an employee, or receiving a report of an employee who is
perceived to be, unable to safely perform his/her duties due to a physical or mental
condition shall take prompt and appropriate action in an effort to resolve the situation.
The Supervisor should meet with the employee, if doing so will not aggravate the
situation. If the meeting does not relieve the supervisor's concerns, or if no meeting is
conducted, the involved supervisor shall contact his or her division commander and
prepare a written report of the circumstances, if so directed.
(b)Whenever feasible, the supervisor should attempt to ascertain the reason or source
of the problem and in all cases a preliminary evaluation should be made in an effort
to determine the level of inability of the employee to perform his/her duties.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Fitness for Duty
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentFitness for Duty - 2(c)In the event the employee appears to be in need of immediate medical or psychiatric
treatment, all reasonable efforts should be made to provide such care.
(d)In conjunction with the Division Lieutenant or employee’s available Bureau
Commander, a determination should be made whether or not the employee should be
temporarily relieved from his/her duties.
(e)Whereappropriate, asupervisor andemployee may also discuss reasonable
accommodations that may enable the employee to perform the essential functions of
his or her position.
(f)The Chief of Police shall be promptly notified in the event that any employee is relieved
from duty.
1017.4 NON-WORK RELATED CONDITIONS
Any employee suffering from a non-work related condition which warrants a temporary relief from
duty may be required to use sick leave or other paid time off (PTO) in order to obtain medical
treatment or other reasonable rest period.
1017.5 WORK RELATED CONDITIONS
Any employee suffering from a work related condition which warrants a temporary relief from duty
shall be required to comply with personnel rules and guidelines for processing such claims.
Upon the recommendation of the Division Lieutenant or unit supervisor and concurrence of a
Bureau Commander, any employee whose actions or use of force in an official capacity result
in death or serious injury to another may be temporarily removed from regularly assigned duties
and/or placed on paid administrative leave for the wellbeing of the employee and until such time
as the following may be completed:
(a)A preliminary determination that the employee's conduct appears to be in compliance
with policy and, if appropriate.
(b)The employee has had the opportunity to receive necessary counseling and/or
psychological clearance to return to full duty.
1017.6 PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS
Whenever circumstances reasonably indicate that an employee is unfit for duty, the Chief of
Police may serve that employee with a written order to undergo a physical and/or psychological
examination in cooperation with Human Resources to determine the level of the employee’s fitness
for duty. Such order should include a brief description of the reasons for the evaluation and shall
indicate the date, time and place for the examination. the name of the psychologist conducting
the evaluation; a directive to cooperate with the psychologist's requests and honestly answer any
questions posed by the psychologist; and notice that the evaluation is being conducted for use by
the department and there is no traditional psychotherapist (doctor)–patient privilege. However, the
notice shall also state that the evaluation is confidential between the employee and the evaluator
to the extent required by the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Civil Code Section 56
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Fitness for Duty
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentFitness for