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How it works:
In the beginning every officer is equal; they all go to the police academy and receive the basic courses necessary to perform their assignments. From this point on the officer accumulates training and experience, both of which should be memorialized in his personnel file.
Somewhere down the road the officer makes a career decision, whether it is to get a promotion, a day shift assignment, community police, SWAT Team, narcotics, etc. This is where the problems start, when numerous officers start jockeying for the same positions.
How is the decision made?
When you first start out, you don't have the training that you need to advance, so how can you compete for these positions? You need to get sent to a class to gain the training to qualify you for the position you want.
What if the Sgt., Lt. or other superior officer has already decided that there is someone else that they would prefer to have the position. Will you be sent to the school or will they?
Who determines which schools you attend? Who has the final say?
Have you ever wondered why there have been safeguards set in place to assure that promotional tests are fair?
This is because the experienced officers who are denied these promotions have sought legal counsel and challenged their respective departments on so many occasions that it has brought the problem to light and corrections have been instituted.
Can a rookie challenge their Department and survive?
Probably not, it would be career suicide.
The EdPD recognizes this dilemma and has been developed for exactly this reason. The protections that are afforded are designed to be simple, started in the early stages of a career and designed to create the best personnel record possible for the officer. In the event that the officer needs his personnel file, he will already be aware of its contents.
If you do not keep your personnel file in top condition you will never reach a position where the State Agencies can interfere on your behalf.