AB 2778: Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act: discipline.

The Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act prohibits any punitive action against a public safety officer, denial of promotion on grounds other than merit, or threat of such treatment, because of the lawful exercise of the rights granted under the act, or the exercise of any rights under any existing administrative grievance procedure. The act further prohibits punitive action, or denial of promotion on grounds other than merit, against any public safety officer who has successfully completed the applicably applicable probationary period without providing an opportunity for administrative appeal.

This bill would amend the act to also prohibit any punitive action, or denial of promotion on grounds other than merit, against any public safety officer without the public agency first taking into consideration education-based alternatives to that action. specify that a public agency should consider education-based alternatives to punitive action against a public safety officer when appropriate.