Thread: Revoking Credentials while on light duty for a work related injury

Just wondering how other agencies deal with this issue... I was hurt on the job 2 years ago and had surgery at the time, I was always expected to get better and continued with my investigations and controlled substance monitoring the entire time. No one pulled my creds or badge because I was actively still an investigator. At the time my agency knew that to get better I would possible need another surgery later, they even took live cells out to prepare the next surgery. Well I just had that surgery and DOL and my agency supported it, I just got back yesterday on light duty and my supervisor pulled my credentials. They stated that I would get them back when I got better and to continue my investigations. There is NO policy in my agency stating this, I talked to other stations and they basically said that they pulled creds sometimes when people got injured OFF the job or when the person WAS NOT going to recover or when the injury was questionable. Basically common sense. I talked to DOL yesterday who said that the supervisor could not make any decision like that and that I was being punished for being hurt on the job which they stated I had to fight. My HR seems to agree but does not seem to know what to do about it. Can anyone help? Is this a ULP or an EEO complaint? I apologize beforehand if this is an incorrect thread but it deals with the fed so I thought it may be. Thanks.

Your supervisor has gone off the rails on this. You can work but not be identified? Unable to judge whether he misunderstands the rules or not, but you should begin by filing a letter of appeal through your supervisor to his boss requesting re-issuance of your credentials or a full explanation of why they were lifted and the authority under which this was done. That gives him a chance to go oops and return them and you a chance to get an explanation in writing which can form the basis of appeal. Work it inside before taking it outside.

Thanks for the response. This seems to be the consensus. I will look into the internal route today and go from there. There is no policy in place in the VA or from CO. Anyone have any other ideas please help. Thanks.

Contact AFGE or LETC/CO. If I remember correctly a chief can authorize a pull of credentials for policy/law violations or if he or she feels that the officer in question can properly preform ALL aspects of the job which include more than just investigations since you are still titled as an 0083 series if Iam correct.

I wrote LETC today, awaiting an answer. I have talked to officers all over and it seems that it usually happens only with policy offenders and other disciplinary actions. This is an OWCP case and last year I came back and nothing happened, nothing is supposed to happen; by law I cannot be removed from my position unless th Dr. states that I am permanently disabled which I am not. When my DOL examiner called me to see how my first day of work was I told them and they said that this person had no right to do this. Also I came back to continue the CS program and my investigations and my running of NCIC all of which require an "appointed police officer" According to 0730 pg 26 and I believe 31 revoking my creds takes away all police powers from me therefore I will and can not do those duties. HR is looking into this and I will continue to fight. DOL and the doctor are also both going to do "something"... whatever it is that they do. Thanks

RSX,

Continue doing what you're doing and stay on top of things and DOCUMENT everything. I was a VAP'er for a few yrs and got hurt OTJ, and they were horribile at managing anything. They scheduled my MRI at the wrong VA, the radiographer was out on vacation so it couldnt be read, they then lost the results, (typical VA--they always seem to "lose" things)

I landed up staying on light duty longer than I would have liked due to staying on PT longer because of their screw-ups and then try to imply its your fault for staying on light duty.

It sounds like some of your personnel have an idea whats going on too bad its not your immediate supv. I do think some improvements have come for the VA, slow but thats to be expected. Also, it amazes me how VA HR staff openly agrees to your problem but has the incompetence to actually say, we dont know what to do. Of course, if you asked who could I contact who would know, you come across looking difficult and thats a negative for you.

Good luck

Are you a FLEOA member? This is a no brainer for Larry Berger.

I second that, if a FLEOA member contact them. Know your agency policy though. My agency permits light duty (keep shield & gun), but prohibits any enforcement action or contacts. So you couldn't be out doing investigations, unless they were taking place via the phone.

Hope it works out for you.

No, I let it lag. I guess I'll join up again. I'll email them too to see what they say. I didn't even think about them.

We have had at least two guys have their firearms removed for being out of work for more than thirty days. One got hurt on the job and the other went out on family sick leave. They both kept their credentials. Our union guy said that it is in the regs.