Citizen Complaint Process

 

Guide to the Citizen Complaint Process

Our Policy:

It is the policy of the Coventry Police Department to thoroughly investigate all complaints against its employees. To insure the integrity of the Police Department, procedures have been established which will assure the prompt and thorough investigation of all alleged or suspected personnel misconduct. Such procedures are intended to clear the innocent, establish the guilt of wrongdoers, facilitate prompt and just disciplinary action, and uncover improper procedure.

Who May Make a Complaint?

Any person who has experienced, witnessed, or has knowledge of police employee misconduct, may make a complaint. Complaints can be made by community members, co-workers, and other city employees. The Coventry Police Department will investigate complaints made for alleged violations of Department Policy; of local, state or federal laws; and for other conduct that is deemed inappropriate.

How Do You File a Complaint?

A complaint may be made in person, by telephone, in writing, or by e-mail. Although the investigation is enhanced when the complainant is known, a complaint may be made anonymously and will still be investigated. Complaint forms can be obtained in person from the Coventry Police Department, 1075 Main St., Coventry, RI 02816 or from the Personnel Office, Town of Coventry, 1670 Flat River Rd., Coventry, RI 02816; or downloaded from the Coventry Police Department website: www.coventrypd.org /forms.html

Complaints will be received by the Division Commander on duty, the supervisor of the involved employee, or by the Internal Affairs Officer. A person who wants to make a complaint may contact any police employee for assistance in making contact with a supervisory officer who will receive their complaint.

It is important that the complaint provide as much information as possible about the event in question to aid in a thorough, accurate and timely investigation. At a minimum, the complainant will need to provide the approximate date and time of the incident, the location of the incident, and the name of the officer or officers involved (if known). The name or names of other involved persons or potential witnesses, and the report numbers of any associated police reports would also be helpful.

The complainant needs to provide a summary of the events in question and needs to specify the reason for the complaint. With the exception of anonymous complaints, follow-up contact may be made with the complainant to clarify points during the investigation. Each complainant will be advised of the consequences for knowingly filing a false allegation of misconduct.

Who Will Investigate the Complaint?

In most cases the Division Commander of the employee will conduct the inquiry into the alleged misconduct. In more serious allegations, the Internal Affairs Officer will conduct the investigation.
The Detective Division may investigate alleged criminal conduct, with the assistance of the Department of Attorney General s Office. A criminal investigation may commence at any point in the internal investigation process.

What is the Complaint Process?

Informal

In some instances, the person with concerns about Police Department policy or officer conduct may want the matter handled informally. In these cases a department supervisor will discuss the issue with the complainant and/or the involved officers and provide prompt feedback to the complainant. The determination of how the issue will be handled will be discussed with the complainant at the time of the call.

Formal

The person assigned the investigation will interview witnesses and other parties who can provide relevant information about the investigation; will review any applicable evidence; and will interview the involved police employee(s). The Investigator will then complete the investigation, to include a recommended finding on the allegation of misconduct. The finding will be one of the following:

Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence and shows that the employee did engage in the misconduct.
Not Sustained: There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
Exonerated: The evidence supports the allegation, but the actions of the employee were lawful and proper.
Unfounded: The investigation shows that the alleged act did not occur.

The completed investigation with findings is forwarded to the Chief of Police for his review. If the investigation into the alleged misconduct is Sustained, recommendations for discipline are requested. If the investigation reveals that the employee may have committed a criminal act, the investigation will be sent to the Department of Attorney General s Office for review.

If the finding is Not Sustained, Exonerated or Unfounded, and if the Chief of Police agrees with the finding, the investigation will be reviewed with the named employee and it will be retained in the department internal affairs files.




What is the Disciplinary Process?

If the complaint is Sustained, one or more of the following actions can be taken:

Counseling/Training: Counseling and or corrective training is provided to the employee to insure that improper behavior does not occur again.
Written Reprimand: A formal written disciplinary report documenting the misconduct will be placed into the employees personnel file.
Suspension: The employee is suspended from duty without pay.
Demotion: The employee is reduced in rank.
Dismissal: The employee is terminated from the Town work force.

What Will You be Told?

Once the investigation is complete and approved by the Chief s office, a letter will be mailed to the complainant, explaining the outcome of the investigation. A copy of the complainant s statement will be included in the letter. The investigator s name will be provided in the case the complainant needs more clarification. The Town must comply with state and federal personnel laws pertaining to employee s privacy rights.

Our Commitment to You

Complaints about alleged employee misconduct are opportunities for our department to educate others about why the conduct was appropriate and lawful or to identify actions by our employees that are inappropriate. In either case the community and the Coventry Police Department benefit from gaining your input. We are committed to providing quality police service to the public. Working with you, we will perform the service professionally and with integrity.

Note:

All Complaints against Police Officers are investigated in accordance with the agreement between the Town of Coventry and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers IBPO, Local 306; and
in compliance with Rhode Island General Law 42-28.6, entitled Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.

Coventry Police Department
Internal Affairs Office
1075 Main Street
Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
(401) 826-1100