(a) Agreements reached between an employee organization which is the exclusive representative of employees and the employer may contain provisions concerning procedures for consideration and resolution of grievances. Any grievance procedure agreed upon by the parties shall include a process for resolution of grievances that refers a grievance to the grievant’s supervisor, then to the deputy chief, then to the chief of police for resolution. In the event the grievance cannot be resolved within the police department, the grievance shall be referred to the labor relations panel for hearing. The labor relations panel shall issue written findings of fact and an order based on the terms and provisions of the City of Frederick Charter, Code, police department policies, rules, regulations and procedures, and the contract between the parties.
(b) The members of the labor relations panel shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 17-27(3)(c) of this chapter.
(c) Decisions of the labor relations panel shall be a final decision binding on the employer and employee organization, but may be appealed to the Circuit Court for Frederick County pursuant to the Maryland B Rules.
(d) Once an employee has elected to pursue a specific grievance procedure, the employee is bound by the election and subsequently may not choose to follow a different procedure. (Ord. No. G-92-3, § 1(17-10.08), 1-23-92; Ord. No. G-95-6, § 1, 4-20-95)