The SFE - Doc 91 Needham Market Firefighter

Suffolk County Council

Fire Service

Sub Officer Wigglesworth
Training Department
Normanshurst

Your ref
Our ref KES/DISC/SIS
Ask for ACFO Seager
Tel (01473) 588939

10th June 1998

Dear Sub Officer Wigglesworth

FIRE SERVICES’ (DISCIPLINE) REGULATIONS, 1985-
YOUR GRIEVANCE DATED 4 JUNE 1998

I refer to my Regulation 7 notice dated 10 June 1998, and your memorandum dated 4 June 1998 addressed to the County Fire Officer invoking the grievance procedure in relation to the actions of the Deputy County Fire Officer.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that I have decided that the grievance procedure in this case shall be suspended for the duration of the investigation which I have commenced, and shall remain suspended at least until the investigation is complete and any resultant actions are concluded.

This decision is made in your best interests for two reasons. First, the terms of the caution I have issued in your case may prevent you being able to fully pursue your grievance because anything said or written by you whilst under caution could be used as evidence in any disciplinary hearing.

Secondly, it is imperative that the County Fire Officer himself has no prior knowledge of he facts of this case since he may be required to hear any charges against you which result from the investigation. This means that an important part of the grievance procedure, i.e. reference to the County Fire Officer, cannot proceed whilst the disciplinary matter is outstanding.

I have enclosed a copy of this letter for you to pass to your Union Representative.

Yours sincerely

KE Seager
ACFO Technical
Brigade Investigating Officer

Enc Copy letter