Written reprimands shall be served on the employee prior to being placed in their personnel file. The reprimand shall contain the reason or cause for the action and where appropriate, guidance on how the employee may resolve the issue. The reprimand shall contain a notice that the employee may respond in writing prior to a time not less than five (5) working days after receipt of the reprimand. Upon receipt of the response or expiration of the time without response, the department head shall either withdraw the reprimand, place the reprimand and the response, if any, in the personnel file, or request further information. Within two (2) working days of final determination, the department head shall notify the employee of the final action in writing and provide the Human Resources Director (Ord 3385; 02/07) with copies of all documents to be placed in the personnel file. A written reprimand is not subject to appeal.

For public safety classifications of the Police Department the following procedure shall apply to written reprimands. Written reprimands shall be served on the employee prior to being placed in his/her personnel file. The reprimand shall contain a notice that the employee may respond in writing prior to a time not less than five (5) working days after receipt of the reprimand. Upon receipt of the response or expiration of the time without response, the imposing authority shall either withdraw the reprimand, place the reprimand and the response, if any, in the personnel file, or request further information. Within two (2) working days of final determination, the imposing authority shall notify the employee of the final action in writing and provide the Human Resources Director (Ord 3385; 02/07) with copies of all documents to be placed in the employee’s personnel file. In accordance with Government Code §§ 3000 et seq., the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR), a public safety officer in the Police Department may appeal a written reprimand to the City Manager. The decision of the City Manager shall be final. (Ord. 3368, 2006; Ord. 3308, 2002)