North Carolina police officers are held to an extremely high standard of conduct and discretion both on and off the job. If you are a law enforcement professional facing a disciplinary investigation, your career and reputation are on the line.
From questionable use-of-force reports to regrettable personal situations, the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission have the authority to determine your fitness to uphold the law. Here’s what you need to know about navigating the disciplinary process and how proper legal representation can protect your livelihood.
Any incident or activity that calls a law enforcement officer’s ethics or judgment into question may be investigated by the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
Some of the more common triggers for disciplinary investigations include:
Officers facing the justice system for allegations of domestic violence, DWI, or other criminal matters can’t count on the outcome of their case to determine the outcome of their Standards Commission hearing. Even if the criminal charges against you are dropped, the Commission still reserves the right to conduct its own investigation and take independent disciplinary action based on the findings.
An investigation by the Standards Commission often begins quietly, but it can escalate quickly. You may be:
If the Standards Commission determines that a policy has been violated, it has the authority to take disciplinary action. This could include a formal reprimand or even the suspension or revocation of your law enforcement certification.
If you don’t leverage your opportunity to respond to the allegations or defend yourself effectively, the Commission may proceed with discipline by default.
Disciplinary investigations can be disorienting for criminal justice professionals. When you’ve spent your career enforcing the law, it’s difficult to find yourself in the role of the subject rather than the investigator.
Unfortunately, your experience with the investigative process can sometimes be a liability. Many police officers approach these situations confident that they can simply explain their involvement, only to find that hasty statements are taken out of context or create inconsistencies.
An experienced license defense attorney can help you prepare an effective response that supports your larger defense strategy. This eye on the details helps you get and stay prepared for each stage of the process while avoiding self-incrimination, unnecessary admissions, and any unintentional voiding of your rights.
Cooperation with a Standards Commission investigation is essential, but cooperation without strategy can lead to certification loss.
An attorney familiar with the Commission’s procedures and preferences can shift the outcome in your favor by:
Whether you’re facing a minor policy issue or a more serious complaint, early legal intervention gives you the best chance of protecting your career.
If you’re a police officer, deputy, or other North Carolina criminal justice professional facing a disciplinary investigation, don’t wait to get legal assistance. Getting a lawyer doesn’t make you look guilty — it shows you take the process seriously and value your career.
Attorney Landon White’s experience defending law enforcement officers before the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission can help. Protect your professional reputation and future with a vigorous defense and informed legal strategy.
