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Police Agency Handling of Citizen Complaints - A Model Policy Statement

NCJ Number
97844
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This model policy statement identifies specific categories of police misconduct; discusses the receipt, processing, investigation, and adjudication of complaints against police; and describes the imposition of disciplinary action.
Abstract
Ways in which such a policy can improve the quality of police services are identified; for example, the relationship between police and citizens will improve, thereby facilitating police-citizen interaction. The prevention of misconduct is emphasized as the primary means of controlling misconduct, and recruitment and selection of well-qualified persons to serve as law enforcement officers is cited as a police priority. Emphasis in police training on upholding the laws and providing for public safety is described, and the use of a police directives manual which describes all aspects of police work is examined. The need for agency supervisors to be properly trained is highlighted, as is the need for commanding officers to be informed about the community's needs and problems. Collection and analysis of misconduct reports is described, and categories of misconduct subject to disciplinary action are noted, including crime and excessive force. A scale of progressive penalties is listed, beginning with counseling and ending with criminal prosecution. Finally, attention focuses on the disciplinary process, beginning with the receipt of complaints from any source and with the investigator's assessment of evidence and conclusion of fact. Five possible dispositions -proper conduct, improper conduct, policy failure, insufficient evidence, and unfounded complaint -- are discussed, and factors determining the disciplinary sentence to be imposed are considered.