PROCEDURAL MODEL FOR PROCESSING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS

• NCJ Number: 68688
• Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1980) Pages: 10-13
• Author(s): D D KNOX
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A PROCEDURAL MODEL FOR PROCESSING CITIZEN COMPLIANTS ABOUT POLICE IS DETAILED IN THIS ARTICLE.

Abstract

THE NATURE OF POLICE WORK MAKES IT VULNERABLE TO COMPLAINTS, AND AN OPEN AND EFFECTIVE PROCEDURE FOR INVESTIGATING CITIZENS' GRIEVANCES IS INVALUABLE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A MODEL PROCEDURE IS SUGGESTED FOR THE RECEIPT, ASSIGNMENT, AND INVESTIGATION OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS. THE PROCEDURE IS BEST IMPLEMENTED IN RELATIVELY LARGE DEPARTMENTS WHERE A UNIT FOR HANDLING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. A CITIZEN COMPLAINT REPORT FORM (CCR) SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO STANDARDIZE COMPLAINT REPORTING. THE COMPLAINANT SHOULD BE GIVEN A COPY OF THE COMPAINT, AND REVIEW IT BEFORE SIGNING IT. CITIZENS MAKING COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE COMPLAINT UNIT WHICH HAS THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FORMS. COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THE COMMAND OF THE OFFICER AGAINST WHOM THE COMPLAINT IS MADE AND THEN INVESTIGATED BY A SUPERVISOR WHO GATHERS EVIDENCE AND CONDUCTS INTERVIEWS OF ALL PERSONS KNOWN TO BE INVOLVED, INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS OF ALL RANKS. THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE COMPLETED (INCLUDING A WRITTEN REPORT) WITHIN 20 TO 30 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE COMPLAINT. THE DISPOSITION OF A CITIZEN COMPLAINT SHOULD INCLUDE STUDY OF THE CITIZEN COMPLAINT REPORT, THE INVESTIGATOR'S REPORT, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS OR EVIDENCE. IF IMPROPRIETY ON THE PART OF A DEPARTMENT MEMBER IS DISCOVERED, A REPORT OF THE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT SHOULD BE PREPARED ALONG WITH A DRAFT OF THE CHARGES, INCLUDING A CITATION OF THE VIOLATED RULE OR REGULATION. THESE ARE THEN REFERRED TO THE CHIEF OF POLICE OR POLICE COMMISSSIONER FOR ADJUDICATION. THE INVESTIGATIVE UNIT AND THE ADJUDICATIVE UNIT SHOULD BE SEPARATE. THE DISPOSITION REPORT SHOULD INCLUDE THE CONCLUSION OF FACTS AND THE ACTION BEING TAKEN. THE COMPLAINANT SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE FINAL DISPOSITION AND RECORDS OF THE CASE SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY FILED. TOTAL PROCESSING OF A CITIZEN COMPLAINT SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN 45 DAYS. PHOTOGRAPHS AND FOOTNOTES ACCOMPANY THE ARTICLE.