An administrative investigation can begin with almost anything, a citizen complaint, a use-of-force report, a policy question following an arrest, or an allegation of misconduct.
What starts as an informal inquiry can quickly become a formal complaint, involve a disciplinary review board, and ultimately lead to discipline that can affect an officer's career for years to come.
These proceedings do not take place in a courtroom, but the consequences can be just as significant. The administrative process has its own rules, procedures, and standards, and decisions made during an investigation can shape what happens next.
Legal representation early in the process matters. From Collective Bargaining Agreements to the Police Officer's Bill of Rights to internal agency policies, Chelf Law helps officers understand the process, prepare for interviews and hearings, protect their rights, and challenge findings that are unsupported by the facts, policy, or applicable law. The goal is not simply to respond to discipline after it happens, but to provide informed representation from the beginning of the process through its resolution.
