NCJ Number
216227
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 73 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 132,134-136,138,140
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
October 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the features of a disciplinary matrix, which is a means of preventing arbitrary and unfair disciplinary actions in police agencies.
Abstract
A disciplinary matrix provides the decisionmaker with guidelines for the disciplinary decision. A disciplinary matrix is similar to the matrix of sentencing guidelines used to guide judges in their sentencing decisions. The term "matrix" refers to a table that allows the decisionmaker to consider at least two factors simultaneously. Most criminal sentences are based on both the seriousness of the crime and the extent of the offender's prior record. A disciplinary matrix is generally divided into several columns that represent disciplinary history and several columns that represent the seriousness of the misconduct. Penalties increase as either seriousness or disciplinary history increase. For disciplinary history, each repeated offense category carries a harsher punishment. Generally, repeated misconduct does not have to be of the same type or class in order to be considered repeated misconduct. Generally, disciplinary matrixes are used to impose punitive action for misconduct rather than problematic behavioral patterns. Behavioral problems are often addressed through counseling, remedial training, mentoring, or increased supervision. The use of a disciplinary matrix not only guides decisionmakers in the dispensing of fair and uniform decisions, it also informs all employees of the range of disciplinary actions they will face if they engage in various types of misconduct. 4 notes