The Greensboro Police Officers Association, International Union of Police
Associations Local #9, in order to effectively and consistently
represent its members in job-related disputes involving the City of
Greensboro, adopts the following policy for the provision of legal and
representational services.
Objectives of Policy
1.1 The objectives of the Greensboro Police Officers Association's
Policy Governing Representation of Members include the following:
a. To provide fair representation for all members in any grievance
procedures available under the rules and regulations governing the
Greensboro Police Department and/or the City of Greensboro;
b. To ensure that legal counsel is available on a 24-hour basis to
consult with and advise members of the Greensboro Police Officers Association
who have been involved in an officer-involved use or deadly force or
situation of grave importance;
c. To assist members involved in disputes which directly involve their
official position, compensation or benefits, terms and conditions of
employment, or the performance of official duties for the City of
Greensboro.
1.2 This policy is solely to provide guidance to the Greensboro Police Officers Association's
Board of Directors. Any decision regarding legal services and
representation ultimately is within the discretion of the Board of
Directors. This policy does not create a contract or a property right
benefiting any individual.
Grievance Representation
2.1 The Greensboro Police Officers Association
will represent its members in grievances and other proceeding
available under the rules and regulations of the Greensboro Police
Department and the City of Greensboro, unless it appears as a result of
the Greensboro Police Officers Association's review that the grievance
is not meritorious of that it is inconsistent with the representation of
the Greensboro Police Officers Association's membership.
2.2 The Greensboro Police Officers Association will provide representation
in such proceedings to any member provided that:
a. the grievant has a high probability of prevailing; or
b. the matter is objectively of great importance to the grievant with a
reasonable chance of prevailing; or
c. the matter is of great concern to a significant number of Greensboro Police Officers Association
members.
2.3 Representation will be provided by Greensboro Police Officers Association
executive officers, members of the Board of Directors, legal counsel or
other representative employed by the Greensboro Police Officers Association.
The choice of whether to use a representative, legal counsel, executive
officer or member of the Board of Directors of the Greensboro Police Officers Association
is solely within the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Greensboro Police Officers Association.
2.4 The Greensboro Police Officers Association
will not provide and pay for an attorney to aid any member in Greensboro
Police Department and City of Greensboro internal grievance procedures
below the level of review by the Chief of Police and the review by the
City Manager.
2.5 Nothing is this section shall prohibit any member from obtaining one
initial consultation with the Greensboro Police Officers Association's
attorney.
Other Civil and Criminal Actions
3.1 Generally, the Board of Directors for the Greensboro Police Officers Association
will not authorize any assistance for the filing or prosecution of civil
actions by a member due to the cost of such litigation. However, the Greensboro Police Officers Association's
Board of Directors may authorize assistance to members filing and
prosecuting civil actions in disputes which directly involve their
official positions, compensation or benefits, terms and conditions of
employment, or the performance of official duties for the City of
Greensboro.
3.2 In determining whether to assist a member pursuant to this section, and the extent to which such a
member should be assisted, the Board of Directors of the Greensboro Police Officers Association
may consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to the
following:
a. the nature of the act which led to the need for legal services;
b. the probability that the matter will prevail;
c. the interests of the membership with respect to the matter being litigated;
d. the potential cost of the legal services;
e. the alternative sources of legal services available to the member;
f. the fairness, under the circumstances of the case, of having the member bear all or part of the cost of legal services; and
g. the impact of the decision of the interests of the membership.
3.3 The Greensboro Police Officers Association will employ legal counsel to
be available for telephone consultations 24-hours per day with any
member of the Greensboro Police Officers Association who has been
involved in an officer-involved use of deadly force. The Greensboro Police Officers Association
will provide the names and telephone numbers of the legal counsel who
can be contacted by members in such situations. Any member with questions concerning this policy should contact the Greensboro
Police Officers Association.