What happens if a disciplinary action exceeds twenty days?

When a disciplinary action exceeds twenty days, it affects the member’s promotion eligibility. Typically, within many law enforcement agencies, any prolonged disciplinary action results in restrictions on a member's ability to advance within the ranks. This is primarily because excessive disciplinary records can be seen as indicators of unsatisfactory performance or behavior, which are critical when assessing candidates for promotion. Promotion decisions often consider the overall conduct and discipline of the members, and a significant disciplinary action would be a red flag, thereby effectively preventing the member from being considered for promotion during the time frame of that discipline.

In contrast, while the idea of demotion or additional training may seem plausible, these options do not specifically relate to the automatic consequences following an extended disciplinary action. Likewise, dismissing a case would not align with the premise of a disciplinary action exceeding twenty days, as that action implies accountability, rather than absolution.