Temporary suspension of Police Sergeant Christopher Vetrano

RECEIVED
CITY OF AUSTIN
CIVIL SERVICE OFFICE
OF
CORPORATION
April 07, 2020 2:55 p.m.
DAY
FOUNDED
1839
MEMORANDUM
Austin Police Department
Office of the Chief of Police
TO:
Joya Hayes, Director of Civil Service
FROM:
Brian Manley, Chief of Police
DATE:
April 7, 2020
SUBJECT:
Temporary Suspension of Police Sergeant Christopher Vetrano #4885
Internal Affairs Control Numbers 2018-0500
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code, Section
143.052, and Rule 10, Rules of Procedure for the Firefighters', Police Officers' and
Emergency Medical Service Personnel's Civil Service Commission, I have temporarily
suspended Police Sergeant Christopher Vetrano #4885 from duty as a City of Austin,
Texas police officer for a period of three (3) days. The temporary suspension is effective
beginning on April 10, 2020 and continuing through April 12, , 2020.
I took this action because Sergeant Vetrano violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03,
which sets forth the grounds for disciplinary suspensions of employees in the classified
service, and states:
No employee of the classified service of the City of Austin shall engage in,
or be involved in, any of the following acts or conduct, and the same shall
constitute cause for suspension of an employee from the classified service
of the City:
L.
Violation of any of the rules and regulations of the Fire
Department or Police Department or of special orders, as
applicable.
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The following are the specific acts committed by Sergeant Vetrano in violation of Rule 10:
On May 24, 2018, Sergeant Christopher Vetrano, while off-duty, was involved in an
argumentative exchange with his neighbor. The argument stemmed from the way Sgt.
Vetrano was disciplining his dog in front of
During this exchange, Sgt. Vetrano
admittedly was frustrated when he used profanity towards his dog and then towards his
neighbor. Sgt. Vetrano also acknowledged that he should have avoided the confrontation,
in which his neighbor expressed to others that she felt "threatened and terrified" by him.
By these actions, Sergeant Vetrano violated Rule 10.03(L) of the Civil Service Rules by
violating the following rules and regulations of the Austin Police Department:
Austin Police Department Policy 900.3.2: General Conduct and
Responsibilities: Acts Bringing Discredit Upon the Department
900.3.2 Acts Bringing Discredit Upon the Department
Since the conduct of personnel both on-duty or off-duty may reflect directly upon
the Department, employees must conduct themselves at all times in a manner which
does not bring reproach, discredit, or embarrassment to the Department or to the
City.
(a)
Employees will not commit any act which tends to destroy public
confidence in, and respect for, the Department or which is
prejudicial to the good order, efficiency, or discipline of the
Department.
By copy of this memo, Sergeant Vetrano is hereby advised of this temporary suspension
and that the suspension may be appealed to the Civil Service Commission by filing with
the Director of Civil Service, within ten (10) days after receipt of a copy of this memo, a
proper notice of appeal in accordance with Section 143.010 of the Texas Local Government
Code.
By copy of this memo and as required by Section 143.057 of the Texas Local Government
Code, Sergeant Vetrano is hereby advised that such provides for an appeal to an
independent third party hearing examiner. If appeal is made to a hearing examiner, all rights
of appeal to a District Court are waived, except as provided by Subsection (j) of Section
143.057 of the Texas Local Government Code. That section states that the State District
Court may hear appeals of an award of a hearing examiner only on the grounds that the
arbitration panel was without jurisdiction or exceeded its jurisdiction, or that the order was
procured by fraud, collusion or other unlawful means. In order to appeal to a hearing
examiner, the original notice of appeal submitted to the Director of Civil Service must state
that appeal is made to a hearing examiner.
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Jennifer
Digitally signed by Jennifer
Stephenson 3019
Stephenson 3019
Date: 2020.04.07 14:15:15-05'00
04/07/2020
BRIAN MANLEY, Chief of Police
Date
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I hereby acknowledge receipt of the above and foregoing memorandum of temporary
suspension and I have been advised that if I desire to appeal that I have ten (10) calendar
days from the date of this receipt to file written notice of appeal with the Director of Civil
Service in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government
Code.
the
4/7/20
Police Sergeant Christopher Vetrano #4885
Date
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