O-2009-3129 approving updated Employee Policy Handbook

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Responsibility and Authority for Follow Up and Investigation The City Manager, Human Resources, Finance and Police have the primary responsibility for all investigations involving all acts of fraud by a city employee. The assistance of the Police Department may be required in any investigation. Properly designated members of the investigators will have free and unrestricted access to all city records. All investigations of alleged wrongdoing will be conducted in accordance with applicable City of La Porte practice of administrative and police notifications and investigations. Reported Incident Follow Up Procedure Care must be taken in the follow up of suspected misconduct and dishonesty to avoid acting on incorrect or unsupported accusations, to avoid alerting suspected individuals that follow up and investigation is underway, and to avoid making statements which could adversely affect the city, an employee, or other parties. Accordingly, the general procedures for follow up and investigation of reported incidents are as follows: 1. Employees and others must immediately report all factual details as indicated through this Policy. 2. The City Manager, Human Resources, Finance (fraud related), and Police have the responsibility for follow up and, if appropriate, investigate all reported incidents. 3. All records related to the reported incidents will be retained wherever they reside. 4. Do not communicate with the suspected individuals or organizations about the matter under investigation. 5. In appropriate circumstances and at the appropriate time, Human Resources Department will notify the employee's Director. 6. The Director of Finance or Human Resources will notify the City Manager of all reported incidents so that it may be determined whether this matter should be brought to the attention of the Fiscal Affairs Committee. 7. City Manager, Human Resources, and the Director of Finance may also obtain the advice of Legal at any time throughout the course of an investigation or other follow up activity on any matter related to the report, investigation steps, proposed disciplinary action or any anticipated litigation. 8. Neither the existence nor the results of investigations or other follow up activity will be disclosed or discussed with anyone other than those persons who have a legitimate need to know in order to perform their duties and responsibilities effectively. fiEl