2021 2nd Qtr

Citizen Complaints against Officers
2021 2nd 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 five citizen’s complaints against officers. The findings for these complaints are as follows:

  1. On 3/31/21, a citizen filed a complaint of conduct unbecoming by an officer.  The citizen claimed the officer delayed his receipt of medical care following an accident and that he was rude with the citizen during the course of a DWI investigation.  An investigation into the complaint was conducted.  Upon review of the incident, it was found that this complaint was not sustained and the officer acted professionally. 
  2. On 5/5/21, a citizen filed a complaint that too many officers responded to her call for service displaying racial bias.  An investigation was conducted regarding this claim.  Upon review of the audio and video evidence, it was found that the amount of officers who responded to the incident they were investigating was reasonable and that all officers were polite and professional.  The complaint was unfounded.
  3. On 5/18/21, a citizen filed a complaint that he was sexually assault by an officer.  An investigation into the complaint was conducted.  There was video and audio from the incident.  A review showed that the officer did not sexually assault the complainant.  This complaint was unfounded.   
  4. On 5/19/21, a citizen filed a complaint against an officer for being rude and discourteous.  An investigation into the complaint was conducted.  A review of the incident showed that the officer acted in a manner that was unbecoming of an officer.  The citizen’s complaint was sustained.
  5. On 6/10/21, a citizen filed a complaint about an incident that occurred on 5/5/21.  The complainant said an officer who responded to a call for service was inappropriate and not taking the report seriously.  An investigation into the complaint was conducted.  The investigation showed that the officer conducted themselves within department policy and state law and the complaint was unfounded.