The member is entitled to appear before the hearing officer and be represented by legal counsel or an agent. There is no prohibition against the member calling or cross-examining witnesses. After a hearing, the hearing officer gives written notice of his or her decision to the member or chief against who was the subject of the complaint, the complainant, the Investigator, and the chief or police board. The Act allows a 30-day period after the day on which notice was given for the member, chief, board or complainant to apply to the police commission for leave to appeal the hearing officer s decision. This is not an automatic right of appeal.
Sanctions range from dismissal to a reprimand.
The chief cannot fine the member any monetary amount. The chief must immediately give notice with written reasons of his decision to the member. The chief s decision is final subject to the member s right of appeal to a hearing officer. The hearing officer s decision may be appealed, with leave of the commission, to the police commission. Section 69 of the Act applies to appeals to the police commission by a member from a decision of a hearing officer at an unsuitability hearing.