On January 31, 2024, the DEA and its attorneys were present at a meeting with the First Deputy Commissioner’s Office and the Office of Labor Relations to discuss the Department’s efforts and recommendations to enhance the disciplinary review process. In short, the PC directed a review of the entire disciplinary process: from investigation, to charges, trial, and final disposition of cases involving our members. Of particular concern to the PC, which is an issue the DEA has been consistently raising, is the length of time it takes to bring these cases to a final resolution. Most egregiously, as we know, is how long the CCRB takes to resolve their charges pending against our members.
This review of the disciplinary process resulted in numerous recommendations that the Department maintains will speed up the process considerably. Most notably, the Department Advocate’s Office will be utilizing the Schedule “C” Command Discipline – in lieu of formal charges and specifications – for cases where the penalty for any given case is 20 days or under pursuant to the matrix. Where charges are served, there will be a six-month time limit for the Advocate (or CCRB) to bring that matter to a resolution. Importantly, there will also be an “expedited prosecution” instituted for any case in which there is an impending promotion or retirement of a member. Finally, the Department will be rolling out a “Disciplinary Dashboard” where members who are the subject of disciplinary investigations and cases can look their case up online and have access to track the status of the case. They are projecting that this system should be up and running by the end of February. These are just some of the recommendations that will be implemented moving forward.
