GENERAL TIPS – 16

Summarized Flow Chart of Inquiry Proceedings (For DA/IA)

1. Either DA may hold inquiry himself or DA may appoint IO. If DA appoints IO, the IO should examine order of appointment. Check relevant papers including charge-sheet along with list of allegations, witnesses, evidences etc.
2. Send notice of inquiry to CE and PO.
3. If CE present, start inquiry. Advise him about the right to take assistance of DR. If CE absent, provide one chance, adjourn and notify CE and PO.
4. In the presence of CE, DR and PO, read articles of charge or statement of imputation of lapses.
5. Ensure that CE understands charges. Ask him if he pleads guilty or not on each charge.
6. For charges to which CE pleads guilty, do not inquire into those charges and make your findings accordingly. For charges to which CE does not plead guilty, adjourn and provide CE lists of documents and witness received from DA. Also ask CE for discovery and inspection.
7. Forward to concerned authority notice of discovery and inspection when received from the CE for production of documents or showing cause why they cannot be produced.
8. Ask the PO to present the case in support of charges.
9. Ask the PO to present his first witness. If PO has no witness to produce, note it. Ask PO to present documentary evidence; take documents on records as exhibits.
10. If PO has witness to produce, ask PO to examine first witness.
11. Ask CE/DR to cross-examine witness.
12. After cross-examination of the witness by CE/DR, ask PO to re-examine if he wants to.
13. Ask questions to witness for clarification of evidence, if necessary.
14. For further witnesses, follow steps as mentioned above 10 – 13.
15. When case in support of the charge is closed by the PO, ask CE/Dr to state his defence and note the same. Ask the defence to produce witnesses, if any. If CE/DR has no witness to produce, note it. Ask the CE/DR to produce documentary evidence. If CE/DR produces documentary evidence, take documents on records as exhibits.
16. IF CE/DR has witnesses to produce, ask him to examine defence first witness.
17. Ask PO to cross-examine witness.
18. After cross-examination of defence witness by the PO, ask CE/DR to re-examine, if he wants to.
19. Ask questions to witness for clarification of evidence, if necessary.
20. For further defence witnesses, follow steps as mentioned above 16 – 19.
21. If necessary, question CE generally on circumstances appearing against him and in case he has not got himself examined as a witness such general questioning should be done.
22. Ask PO and CE/DR to submit their respective written briefs. If CE/DR ask written brief of the PO before filing written brief of defence, ask PO to send copy of the same to CE/DR to provide PO’s written brief to CE/DR.
23. If DA and IO different, IO should send findings to DA containing gist of articles of charge, statement of imputations of misconduct or gist of imputations of lapses, gist of CE’s defence charge-wise, assessment of evidence and findings with reason charge-wise.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 15

TIPS FOR THE INQUIRY OFFICER - 4

Please do not administer oath to the witnesses.

Please do not allow leading questions in the examination-in-chief, except in cross-examination. You should not also put leading question to the witnesses.

While allowing adjournments, examine the grounds on which it has been sought. Please do not allow adjournments on flimsy grounds.

Do not allow the DR when the CE appears as his own witness or when he is answering the mandatory questions, at the close of inquiry.

You should not supply copy of the written brief of the CE to the PO.



Please do not collect information from persons who have not been cited as witnesses unless you declare them as ‘court witness’. In case you declare any person as ‘court witness’, then you should allow cross-examination of such witness by both parties i.e., by the PO and the DR.

Please do not take into consideration any matters or evidence which were not adduced/produced during the course of the inquiry.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 14

TIPS FOR THE INQUIRY OFFICER - 3

In case of ex-parte proceedings, you should allow the CE to participate in the proceedings at any stage, he desires.

You may suspend the proceedings, if the CE dies or is dismissed or removed from service and refer the case to the DA.

You should permit production of new evidence only if there is inherent lacuna in the evidence already recorded.

In part-heard inquiries, you are free to take up proceedings, de novo, but this should be done in exceptional cases only. It is better to start from where they were left.



In case of ‘Court Witness’, you should allow cross examination by both parties – PO and CE.

Please ask mandatory questions at the close of proceedings where the CE does not opt to be his own witness.

You should allow copy of the written brief of the PO to the CE. CE may be allowed to file his written brief after going through the written brief of the PO.

You should submit your full report of the inquiry along with original records to the DA.

Please do not delegate functions of holding of inquiry to other person.

Please do not hold inquiry according to your own methods. Please follow prescribed procedure.

Please do not call for the documents or witnesses to decide the question of their relevancy.

Please do not requisition additional documents from the DA and/or the PO. You should write direct to the custodian of the documents.

Please do not insist that witnesses be produced in any particular sequence befor you in the inquiry. It should be left to the respective parties.

With best wishes

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 13

TIPS FOR THE INQUIRY OFFICER – 2

You should clearly pass your order with regard to inspection of documents.

In case the CE/DR gives a list of additional documents, please ask him to mention the relevance of each document. Examine the relevancy thoroughly and allow the inspection accordingly. If relevancy of a particular document is not clear to you, then it is better to allow inspection of such document. You should deny inspection of documents not relevant for which you should record reason for such refusal.

You should send requisition for additional documents to the authority to whom the documents belong.

On receipt of the list of defence witnesses, you should ask the CE/DR to mention the relevance of each witness. Defence witnesses relevance should be decided expeditiously. In case you consider a particular proposed witness not relevant, please record your reason for the same.



You should send requisition for the additional documents directly to the custodian of the documents.

You should decide date, time and venue of the regular inquiry and send intimation to the CE and the PO. It is better to send such intimation to the DR also.

You should take all necessary steps to secure attendance of the witnesses including defence witnesses.

Whenever CE and/or DR make inspection of documents, please obtain confirmation in this regard and take it on record.

You should conduct the regular hearing fairly and firmly. Your approach should be judicious one.

You should ensure that there is no harassment of any witness during the examination-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination.

You should maintain a book or file to record the proceedings of the inquiry. The inquiry proceedings should be serially numbered.

You should obtain signature of each party on each page of the proceedings.

You should obtain signatures of witnesses on the proceedings where depositions of witnesses are recorded.

You should supply copies of the proceedings to each party – to the PO, CE and DR. You may also supply copy of the proceedings to the witness where his deposition is recorded.

You should keep record of your observations/rulings in the proceedings.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 12

TIPS FOR THE INQUIRY OFFICER - 1

Please examine your order of appointment. Please check whether it has been signed by the competent authority.

Please check whether you have received following papers:
- Copy of the charge-sheet along with list of allegations, witnesses, evidences etc.
- Copy of written statement(s), if any
- Copy of the appoint of PO

You should be fully conversant with the procedure of the inquiry.

Please study the charge-sheet, enclosed statement(s) and relative papers carefully and acquaint yourself with the facts of the case and nature of accusation.

Please make your plan for the preliminary hearing and decide date, time and venue for it.



Please send notices for preliminary hearing to the CE and the PO.

It is always better to serve the notice in person or through Registered Post AD.

On the first day of the preliminary hearing, ask the CE as to whether he admits all the charges. If he does so, please record his plea of guilt and return the case to the DA with your covering report. If CE admits some of the charges, not all charges, then also record his plea of guilt in respect of those charges that CE admits, and proceed with the inquiry in respect of the remaining charges that CE does not admit.

On the first day of the preliminary inquiry, you may discuss the calendar of the inquiry (as prepared by you) with both parties.

In case CE has not brought his DR in the inquiry, you may advise him that he may take assistance of a DR as per rules in this regard.

In case CE wishes to take assistance of a legal practitioner, ask him why he wishes to do so. You should analyze his request. You should not allow CE to engage a legal practitioner as DR unless the PO happens to be a trained legal practitioner or DA has permitted it. You must allow CE to engage a legal practitioner as DR, if PO happens to a trained legal practitioner or the DA has permitted it.

You should enquire in how many cases the DR is rendering his defence assistance. He should not have two other cases to appear as DR.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 11

In departmental inquiries communication through ‘Registered Post A. D.’ is quite reasonable and sufficient.

If a registered letter is offered to but refused by the addressee, the addressee will be imputed with knowledge of the contents also.

Once an order is issued and sent out, it is held to be communicated, no matter when the employee concerned actually receives it. The only exception is an order of dismissal etc. which takes effect from the date of his actual knowledge.

Holding of departmental inquiry proceedings after acquittal depends upon the nature of findings by the criminal court.

Though a full fledged inquiry is not necessary for imposing a minor penalty but the CE must be given an effective opportunity to defend himself.

It is always open to the DA to withdraw a reference for disciplinary action or to drop the charges.



Reversion to parent department before expiry of the period of deputation is not a punishment.

Ex-parte proceedings are justified where the CE declined to participate in the inquiry despite notice to him.

Ex-parte proceedings are justified where an attempt was made to serve notice on the CE through registered post, but the CE refused to accept it.

Ex-parte proceedings are justified where the attitude of the CE was one of complete non-cooperation.

Ex-parte proceedings are not justified where the CE (placed under suspension) is not paid his subsistence allowance for several months, expressed his inability to attend inquiry proceedings held at a distinct place from his headquarter, due to paucity of funds.

Even in ex-parte proceedings, the IO should record all available evidence.

The relationship of employer and employee comes to an end on retirement of the employee and hence no disciplinary proceedings can be taken against him after that date.

Even after retirement, an inquiry to a limited extent is admissible under the pension rules for withholding or withdrawing the pension.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 10

The report of the IO is not binding on the DA, who has to apply his mind and reach his own conclusions.

Where the DA disagrees with the report of the IO, he should state reasons for the difference.

Where the DA agrees with the findings of the IO, it is not necessary to record reasons for it.

Where inquiry has not been held properly, the DA may remit the case for further inquiry.

A DA may consult other authorities, provided he does not accept the advice of others mechanically but applies his own mind to the whole matter before reaching the final conclusions.



Where the CE is exonerated after an inquiry duly held, a second inquiry on the same facts is legally not permissible.

Past bad record cannot be taken into consideration for deciding quantum of punishment unless the CE had a sufficient notice of it.

Lack of efficiency, failure to attain the highest standard or administrative ability does not constitute misconduct.

A conduct inconsistent with the faithful discharge of duties is misconduct.
Final orders by the DA must be speaking orders.

Even in the case of a minor penalty, it is essential to make a speaking order.

A final order passed by the DA must discuss the case, the CE’s defence, the evidence of both parties, the reason why the PO’s evidence is more acceptable than that of the CE.

The DA must record separate findings on each of the charges.

The order of appeal must also be in a speaking order.

With best wishes,
Keshav Ram Singhal
Abbreviation
IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS – 9

Burden of proof is on the prosecution.

The charge has to be proved against the CE and it is not for the CE to absolve himself of the charge.

An IO is wrong, if he places the burden of establishing charged employees’ innocence on the CE.

Mere suspicion cannot take the place of proof.



The report of the IO must contain reasons for the conclusions reached.

The IO should not rely on statements not recorded during the courseof inquiry. The IO must not rely on extraneous matters.

The IO cannot look into any ‘unspecified’ records for reaching his conclusions.

The IO should not make recommendations regarding quantum of punishments.

The IO must keep his mind open.

The IO must reach clear and conclusive findings.

Halting and inconclusive findings of the IO in his report serve no purpose and are meaningless.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 8

Departmental inquiries need not be conducted in accordance with the technical requirement of criminal trials, but they must be fairly conducted and in holding them, considerations of fair play and natural justice must govern the conduct of the IO.

Statements recorded in criminal proceedings cannot be relied upon in departmental inquiries. The witnesses have to be produced during the inquiry and subjected to cross-examination.

It is within the jurisdiction of the IO to fix up venue of the inquiry provided no prejudice is caused to the CE thereby.



Prosecution case (case by the PO) should be produced first before the IO.
Asking the CE to appear and produce his witnesses first, is contrary to procedure of inquiry and principles of natural justice.

The IO should not question the CE extensively and repeatedly.

The CE should be given full opportunity to produce evidence in his behalf and to examine himself.

Cross-examination of the witnesses is a very valuable right.

The CE must be afforded every opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses of the PO.

If the CE wishes to lead oral evidence, the IO should not dispense with the oral inquiry on the ground the case was based on documents – in fact, on any grounds.

Where charge is based on adverse entries in the confidential reports, the officers who wrote the reports are material witnesses and should be examined.

The IO should apply his mind before allowing additional evidence and record an order in that behalf. In such a case, the CE is entitled to an appropriate adjournment and also to produce new evidence to meet the additional evidence being produced against him.

The principles of natural justice demand that the CE should be supplied with a copy of the written brief filed by the PO. The CE should be required to file his written brief thereafter. Failure to supply such a copy would result in denial of reasonable opportunity to the CE.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 7

The IO cannot look into any ‘unspecified’ records for reaching his conclusions.

The CE is entitled to inspect all documents relied upon by the IO in his report.

Full copies of the statement made by the prosecution witnesses during the preliminary inquiry should be supplied to the CE.

It is unjust and unfair to deny the CE copies of the statements of witnesses examined during investigation and produced at the inquiry in support of the charges leveled against him. A synopsis does not satisfy the requirements of giving the CE a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the action proposed to be taken.



When a witness is being produced during the inquiry, his earlier statement cannot be denied to the CE on the ground that it is confidential or secret.

The IO cannot be a witness.

All evidence must be recorded in the presence of the CE.

The CE must be given full opportunity to cross-examine the witness appearing against him.

The CE is permitted to adduce evidence in his defence and is also allowed to examine himself, if he so desire.

The DA cannot be a witness.

Tape recorded evidence is admissible in departmental inquiry, but such evidence is not direct/primary evidence and should be used for the purpose of corroboration.

The IO should not cross-examine the witness.

The IO should not cross-examine the CE.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 6

The investigating officer should not be appointed as PO.

A prosecution witness cannot function as PO.

The IO must take all necessary steps to ensure the presence during inquiry of the DR nominated by the CE.

Refusal to DR from a Government servant who is already rendering defence in two cases does not result in denial of reasonable opportunity.

At the time of appointment of the PO, the DA should inform the CE of his right to DR.
Defence assistance by legal practitioner should be allowed where the case against the CE is handled by the trained PO.

Where the PO is a legally trained officer, the CE is also entitled to defence assistance from a legal practitioner.



The CE must be provided an adequate opportunity to inspect, take extract (which includes making of full copies, where he considers it necessary to do so) the various documents cited in the charge sheet, and those held relevant for his defence.

Though normally a copy of the report of the preliminary inquiry is not to be supplied, it may have to be furnished to the CE if it is mentioned in the charge sheet and is relied upon during the course of inquiry.

Refusal of access to relevant documents is against the principles of natural justice and of the requirements of the Article 311(2) of the constitution.

The CE is entitled to both ‘Listed’ as well as ‘Additional’ documents.

Supply of copies of documents is not an essential requirement. It is sufficient if the CE is allowed to inspect them, to take extracts or to make out copies as he likes.

The CE may make verbatium copy of the entire document while inspecting the document.

No restriction can be put as to the type of the note that may be taken by the CE of a particular document. The CE may take such notes either in ink or in pencil as he likes.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 5

An admission must be expressed in writing and must contain a clear and unambiguous admission of the facts constituting the misconduct.

Admissions not made specifically in reply to a charge sheet cannot be a basis for imposing a punishment unless a formal inquiry is held.

Admitting a fact here and there does not constitute admission of guilt.

Where the facts constituting the charge are admitted in a clear and unambiguous manner, it amounts admission to a plea of guilt.



Where the facts constituting the charges are admitted, it is not necessary to hold an inquiry.

The IO must not have any personal interest in the case.

The IO must be impartial and have an open mind.

If an inquiry has been held by an IO who is biased or who has adopted a procedure contrary to the principles of natural justice, the ultimate decision based on his report of inquiry is liable to be quashed.

A person who held the preliminary inquiry is eligible to hold regular inquiry, if he has not pre-judged the issues.

A person who held the preliminary inquiry and where he expresses his definite opinion holding the CE to be guilty, he will be disqualified to be appointed as IO.

Objection to the appointment of any particular IO on the grounds of bias should be taken at the earliest opportunity.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 4

An IO must be one who has an open mind and is absolutely impartial in the matter.

The IO is free to ask questions to the witness(es) by way of clarifications and such questions do not constitute bias or violation of natural justice.

The IO is also free to call for any additional evidence by way of documents or witnesses, if he considers the same necessary to bring out truth.

No person shall be a judge in his own case, applies to DA also.



The charge must be definite and contain full particularity in regard to the date, time, place and person.

The various essential details relating to a charge cannot be left to be guessed by the CE.

The charges must be specific with full particularity.

It cannot be assumed that the CE knows the charge.

Where the charge sheet did not contain full particulars of date, time and place of alleged misconduct, it was held that the CE was denied opportunity of defending himself.

The charge sheet should not contain expression or opinion which will show that the DA was biased or had a closed mind.

Charge sheet should not be issued on suspicion alone. There must be evidence of prima facie case.

Mention of proposed punishment in the charge sheet should be avoided, but it does not vitiate the proceedings unless it could be said that the DA had a biased and closed mind.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 3

In the departmental inquiry proceedings, action and/or decision should not actuated by extraneous and collateral considerations or by bias or bad faith.

The Civil Procedure Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act have no application to Departmental Proceedings.

A departmental inquiry is neither a criminal trial for the imposition of punishment nor a proceeding in a court of law.



Though the technicalities of criminal law may not apply to departmental inquiry proceedings and the strict mode of proof prescribed by the Evidence Act may not be adopted with equal rigour, but even in departmental inquiry proceedings, the charges framed against the CE must be held to be proved before any punishment can be imposed on him.

As regards amendment of charge-sheet during te course of inquiry, the DA has an inherent right to amend, substitute or drop a charge at any time but the exercise of this power should be restricted to minimum.

Two principles of natural justice are: (i) The proceedings must be free from prejudice or any kind, and (ii) The CE must have an adequate opportunity to present his defence and prove his innocence.

Adequate (reasonable) opportunity has two ingredients: (i) A proper notice, and (ii) A reasonable hearing.

The purpose of the charge sheet is to give due notice of allegation to the charged employee so that he understands clearly the lapse or misconduct on his part.

The charge sheet must be framed in specific and concrete terms with full particularity relating to the date, time, place and nature of occurrence and must also cite, in sufficient detail, the documentary and oral evidence in possession of the DA to prove the allegation.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation

IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

GENERAL TIPS - 2

Departmental Inquiry proceedings are quasi-judicial, in nature. A judicial approach is necessary while dealing with such cases.

The procedure adopted in the departmental inquiry must be fair and reasonable and it should also bear a convincing appearance that justice has been done.
It is absolutely necessary and essential for IO, PO, CE and DR to know the provisions of the departmental inquiry proceedings fully and adequately.



The ‘Oral Inquiry’ is an important part of the departmental inquiry proceedings. ‘Oral Inquiry’ and ‘Personal Hearing’ is one and the same thing. An ‘Oral Inquiry’ is intended to afford to the charged employee an opportunity to defend himself by cross-examining the witnesses produced against him and by examining himself or any other witness(es) in support of his defence.

An inquiry cannot be dispensed with merely for convenience of the employer, or on the presumption that the CE cannot improve his defence by personal hearing.
It is absolutely essential that the inquiry proceedings are held in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

It is absolutely essential that there is no violation of principles of natural justice resulting failure of justice in the inquiry proceedings.

With best wishes,

Keshav Ram Singhal

Abbreviation
IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority

General Tips - 1

Keshav Ram Singhal



The Inquiry Officer (IO) should hold inquiry in accordance with the prescribed procedure, which should be free from any legal hole pricking on a future date.

The Presenting Officer (PO) should present the case to the best of his ability so that the case does not go by any default on his part.

The Defence Representative (DR) should do his best to help the Charged Employee (CE). CE feels distress, as such the DR should always endeavour to do his best in rendering his assistance in the departmental inquiry.

Departmental Inquiry is also known as departmental enquiry or domestic enquiry. Its proceddings are also known as disciplinary proceedings.

The departmental inquiry proceedings have a dual purpose. They are intended (i) to help the Disciplinary Authority (DA) to assess the guilt of the CE with a view to decide further course of action, if any, and (ii) to provide the CE a chance to meet the charges levelled against him and to prove his innocence.

Abbreviation
IO = Inquiry Officer / Enquiry Officer / Inquiring Authority
PO = Presenting Officer
DR = Defence Representative
CE = Charged Employee / Charged Officer
DA = Disciplinary Authority
AA = Appellate Authority