NFL owners have voted unanimously to approve a revamped personal conduct policy, according to a report from NFL.com’s Albert Breer.
Commissioner Roger Goodell had acknowledged that under the previous policy, “our penalties didn’t fit the crimes.”
A memo obtained by ESPN’s Outside The Lines outlines the new elements of the policy.
Under the new policy, the league conduct independent investigations rather than exclusively using information developed through law enforcement.
The new Policy will embrace the use of independent investigations; we will no longer rely solely on information developed in law enforcement proceedings. While we will always respect and seek not to interfere with law enforcement, we recognize that the standards that apply in a workplace are substantially different from those that apply in the criminal justice system. We are confident that we can address issues within the NFL in a way that respects and supports law enforcement activity.
In addition, players charged with certain crimes can be placed on paid leave.
The new Policy will include an element of leave with pay for individuals charged with crimes of violence. A program of paid leave can be implemented promptly for non-player employees. As it applies to players, this element may be subject to changes based on our ongoing discussions with the NFLPA. The union has thus far taken the position that paid leave is appropriate only when a player is charged with a felony, and even then only with the player’s agreement. We have said that we believe that a system of paid leave must be uniform and consistent across the league.
Another feature of the new policy is that Goodell will no longer be involved in initial disciplinary proceedings but will retain his role in regards to appeals and there will be a “more rigorous and transparent process for those initial disciplinary decisions.”
The league and Goodell have come under scrutiny since former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was initially suspended only two games for striking his then-fiancée in an Atlantic City Casino elevator in February.
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