2018 3rd Qtr

Citizen Complaints against Officers
2018 3rd Quarter

All citizen complaints against officers are documented and investigated by the department’s supervisors. Once the investigation is complete, it is reviewed by the Section Commander, Division Commander and then forwarded to the Office of the Chief where the decision is made as to the finding of the complaint. Complaints questioning the basis for a citation or arrest are not documented and those complainants are advised to go through the court system.

There are four different categories of complaint findings:
• Sustained - The investigation produced a preponderance of evidence to prove the allegation did in fact occur and the action of the officer was improper.
• Not Sustained - The investigation failed to produce a preponderance of evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation.
• Exonerated - The allegation in fact did occur but the actions of the officer were legal, justified, proper, and in accordance with the law and the department’s policies and procedures.
• Unfounded - The allegation in fact did not occur, based on the evidence.

During this quarter, there were 6 citizen’s complaints against officers. The findings for these complaints are as follows:
Sustained - 1
Not Sustained - 0
Exonerated - 0
Unfounded - 5
Pending - 0

The following is a summary of each of those complaints:

1) On 7-5-2018, a citizen complained that an officer was rude and had an unnecessary conversation with her. After reviewing the video and speaking with the people involved, the complaint was sustained.
2) On 7-11-2018, a citizen complained that an officer did not treat him fairly. After reviewing the video and speaking with the involved citizens and officers, the complaint was unfounded.
3) On 7-17-2018, a citizen complained that officers caused injuries to his wrists during handcuffing. After reviewing the video and speaking to the officers involved, it was evident that the citizen’s behavior and aggressive demeanor necessitated a physical detention. The officers used proper handcuffing techniques and the complaint was unfounded.
4) On 7-20-2018, a citizen complained that an officer spoke to him inappropriately. He later claimed that the officer performed an improper search during his arrest. After reviewing the videos and available information, the complaint was unfounded. The officers were professional and patient even though the citizen continued to try to instigate a confrontation.
5) On 8-6-2018, a citizen complained that he was injured by officers during his arrest. After reviewing the videos and speaking with witnesses, the complaint was unfounded. The officers used the force necessary to control and arrest the citizen who resisted their efforts.
6) On 8-24-2018, a citizen complained that he was injured by officers during their contact with him. After reviewing the videos and speaking with witnesses, the complaint was unfounded. The citizen had a pre-existing injury and the officers had only used the force necessary to control the uncooperative citizen.