Did You Know?
There are federal, state and local laws, collective bargaining agreements and case law that protect you and your career.
Resources
Bill of Rights
Disciplinary Rights
Retirement Benefits
Line of Duty Benefits
Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police
Approved By:
The Officer Defense Network
Are you a law enforcement professional looking for information about a problem or potential issue at work? You’ve come to the right place.
We represent and guide officers to resources available to them, individually and through organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police and PLEA to address many problems or issues arising out of their employment. If you are facing an issue involving your employment and need legal assistance or representation, contact one of our network attorneys. We can help you with a variety of problems involving your employment as a law enforcement officer.
Mary W. Sharp
Representing law enforcement officers in many issues associated with employment
1015 South 4th St
Louisville, KY 40203
Office: 502.634.1300
Cell: 502.376.8353
marywsharp@gmail.com
David Fuller
Criminal Defense; Domestic Relations/Family Court; Law Enforcement Administrative
1015 South 4th St
Louisville, KY 40203
Office: 502.634.1300
Steve Schroering
Criminal Defense
1015 South 4th St
Louisville, KY 40203
Office: 502.634.1300
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal investigations: Always invoke your 5th amendment rights and speak with an attorney before giving a statement.
Administrative investigations: You may be compelled to speak to an internal body who is investigating allegations of work-related misconduct. However, it is highly advisable that you review your statutory, constitutional and administrative rights before giving a statement.
Criminal investigations: Officers maintain the same rights, constitutionally, as all other citizens, including the right to consult with an attorney before giving a statement which could be used against the officer in a criminal case.
Administrative investigations: in an administrative or internal affairs investigation, officers have many rights of which they are not aware. Collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, local ordinances, state laws and case law give officers many rights concerning how these investigations are to be conducted, the time limits for the investigation, and the right to challenge any disciplinary action that results from an investigation. It is always in the officer’s best interests to seek advice concerning what rights they have, depending on which governmental body employs them.
Contact a representative to assist the officer throughout the process, as it may be difficult and time consuming. The actual defense of an allegation can vary from the simple to highly complex issues, depending on the allegation. Generally, there are three defenses: (1) The officer did not commit the conduct that is alleged; (2) The office did commit the conduct, but it is not a violation of law or policy; (3) The officer did commit the alleged action, but there are sufficient mitigating circumstances to merit that disciplinary action is unwarranted or excessive.
Various local, state, federal laws, case law (common law) and collective bargaining agreements all are in place to protect officer’s actions which occur in the line of duty, including law on administrative process, criminal law, pension issues, off-duty conduct, wage and hour laws, and many more, depending on the type of issue the officer is facing.