The challenges associated with investigating officers’ off-duty employment—and determining whether it is in conflict with their on-duty job responsibilities—is not new. What is new is the emergence of a new type of off-duty work in which officers are generating income online for paid subscribers only. What makes this work distinct is that it lends itself to the defense, in the face of a disciplinary action, that the work performed was not created for public consumption but only for the subscribers “behind the paywall.”
While legal challenges to the agency’s regulation of work “behind the paywall” are in many ways an extension of the contention that officers’ private lives are not relevant to their professional obligations, this development likely requires a renewed discussion of investigations involving off-duty conduct.
As internal affairs investigators and agency leaders seek to protect the integrity of agency operations and maintain the public trust, it is vital to consider the investigative and disciplinary options available under the law.
In this webinar, Attorney Matt Dolan will address issues including:
Director, Dolan Consulting Group
| Attorney Matt Dolan
Matt Dolan is a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois, who specializes in training and advising public safety agencies in matters of labor and employment law. His practice experience focuses on employment discrimination claims brought under federal law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII"), the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"). He received his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from DePaul University and his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Matt serves as a public safety instructor with Dolan Consulting Group. He has trained and advised thousands of public safety professionals throughout the United States in matters of legal liability related to personnel management.
Consent Questions
Investigating Off-Duty Work “Behind the Paywall” | Hour 1
Investigating Off-Duty Work “Behind the Paywall” | Hour 2
