Florida § 112.82 - Rights of firefighters.

§ 112.82. Rights of firefighters.

Whenever a firefighter is subjected to an informal inquiry or interrogation, the inquiry or interrogation must be conducted in accordance with this section. (1) An interrogation must take place at the facility where the investigating officer is assigned, or at the facility that has jurisdiction over the place where the incident under investigation allegedly occurred, as designated by the investigating officer. (2) A firefighter may not be subjected to interrogation without first receiving written notice in sufficient detail of the formal investigation in order to reasonably apprise the firefighter of the nature of the investigation. The firefighter must be informed beforehand of the names of all complainants. (3) All interrogations must be conducted at a reasonable time of day, preferably when the firefighter is on duty, unless the importance of the interrogation is of such a nature that immediate action is required. (4) The firefighter under formal investigation must be informed of the name, rank, and unit or command of the officer in charge of the investigation, the interrogators, and all persons present during any interrogation. (5) Informal inquiries and interrogation sessions must be of reasonable duration, and the firefighter must be permitted reasonable periods for rest and personal necessities. (6) During an informal inquiry or interrogation, the firefighter may not be subjected to offensive language; threatened with a transfer, suspension, dismissal, or other disciplinary action; or offered any incentive as an inducement to answer any questions. (7) A complete record of any interrogation must be made, and if a transcript of such interrogation is made, the firefighter under formal investigation is entitled to a copy of the transcript without charge. Such record may be electronically recorded. (8) An employee or officer of an employing agency may represent the agency, and an employee organization may represent any member of a bargaining unit desiring such representation in any proceeding to which this part applies. If a collective bargaining agreement provides for the presence of a representative of the collective bargaining unit during investigations or interrogations, such representative shall be allowed to be present. (9) A firefighter may not be discharged, disciplined, demoted, denied promotion or seniority, transferred, reassigned, or otherwise disciplined or discriminated against in regard to his or her employment, or be threatened with any such treatment as retaliation for or by reason solely of his or her exercise of any of the rights granted or protected by this part.