Any employee initiating or participating in violent acts at the workplace or while on duty will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment and may be subject to criminal charges, subject to the protection of lawful defensive purposes protected by Florida Statutes Ch. 790.251. The City will work with law enforcement to aid in the prosecution of anyone outside of the organization who commits violent acts against City employees on City property. 

Reporting Emergencies

In case of an immediate emergency, first call 911. Immediately after this call, contact the Department Director or Division Manager who is responsible to notify the City Manager or Deputy City Manager. The Department Director is responsible to notify the Director of Human Resources. 

Non-emergency Situations

Once the situation has been controlled, if it is an employee against employee altercation, safely separate the employee(s) involved if possible. Do not attempt physical interaction without adequate assistance. Make every attempt to prevent an altercation from escalating into something more serious. Once the event is under control, notify the Division Manager and/or Department Director immediately. The Department Director is responsible to notify the Director of Human Resources.

Investigation

Appropriate supervisory staff should separately interview all persons involved, including any witnesses, in order to obtain an accurate account of the incident and document the statements of witnesses and others interviewed in written form. Employees involved in an altercation and who are possible subjects of further disciplinary action based on the incident have the right to have a representative present during the interview if one is requested or provided for in a collective bargaining agreement. Interviewing supervisors may contact the Human Resources Department for advice during this process. 

No employee acting in good faith, who reports an incident under this policy, will be subject to retaliation or harassment based upon that report. 

Weapons

Possession, use, or threat of use of a weapon, including any firearms and ammunition, is not permitted at work or in a City vehicle, unless such possession or use of a weapon is a necessary and approved requirement of the job or except to the extent that an employee, independent contractor, volunteer, intern or other similar individual has a right to possess a firearm and ammunition locked inside a private motor vehicle in a parking lot as protected by Florida Statutes Ch. 790.251.

Discipline

Most workplace altercations that do not result in dismissal from employment will warrant some level of disciplinary action under the City’s disciplinary action policy. If the situation is serious enough that the continued presence of an employee at the worksite would not be appropriate given the altercation or particular circumstances, an employee may be immediately suspended with pay and ordered not to return to the worksite until the situation is investigated and final action is taken. This action is at the discretion of the Department Director or designee.