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.
In addition, players charged with certain crimes can be placed on paid leave.
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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