Police » Commendations & Complaints

Commendations & Complaints

COMMENDATIONS:

 

Citizens wishing to commend a police department employee may do so in the following manners:

 

1. In writing by sending an email to [email protected],

 

2. By telephone by contact the Chief of Police at (903) 356 - 1605

 

3. In person by calling the Chief of Police at (903) 356 - 1605 and scheduling an appointment, or

 

4. By mail at:

 

Quinlan ISD Police Department

Chief of Police

401 East Richmond Avenue

Quinlan, Texas 75474

 

 

COMPLAINTS:

 

Citizens wishing to make a complaint against a police department employee may do so in the following manners in accordance with the policy outlined below:

 

1. In writing by submitting the written complaint in person by calling the Chief of Police at (903) 356 - 1605 and scheduling an appointment

 

2. in writing by sending an email to [email protected], or

 

3: by mail at:

 

Quinlan ISD Police Department

Chief of Police

401 East Richmond Avenue

Quinlan, Texas 75474

 

 

POLICY

 

The image of the Department depends on the personal integrity and discipline of all departmental employees. To a large degree, the public image of this Department is determined by the professional response of the Department to allegations of misconduct against it or its employees. The Department must competently and professionally investigate all allegations of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance by employees and complaints bearing on the Department’s response to District needs.

 

PURPOSE

 

To establish procedures for the filing, investigating, and dispositions of internally and externally originated complaints against employees of the Police Department. These complaints include all alleged or suspected violations of the Code of Conduct, Department General Orders, the Quinlan Independent School District personnel policy, or the laws of the State of Texas or the United States.

 

PROCEDURES

  1. The Department encourages citizens and staff to bring forward legitimate grievances regarding misconduct by employees. Department members shall receive complaints courteously and shall handle them efficiently. All officers are obligated to explain the complaint procedures to inquiring citizens.
  2. The Department recognizes that its personnel are often subject to intense pressures in the discharge of their duties. The employee must remain neutral under circumstances that are likely to generate tension, excitement, and emotion. In such situations, works, actions, and events frequently result in misunderstanding and confusion. It is to the advantage of all employees to have a procedure for the investigation of serious allegations and underlying circumstances so that complaints can be resolved in light of the complicated pressures of police work.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAKING FORMAL COMPLAINTS

 

Personnel complaints shall comply with Section 614.022, Texas Government Code.

  1. Persons wishing to make formal complaints must do so by submitting a written statement of the complaint accompanied by their signature. A notarized affidavit is preferred but not required.
  2. A signed letter of complaint may be sufficient after verification that it is not fictitious or signed with a fictitious name. This determination shall be made by the Chief of Police.
  3. An internally originated complaint may be made by and Department supervisor or other employee by submitting a written statement with signature or by notarized affidavit.
  4. The Chief of Police may serve as the complainant of an externally originated complaint that cannot or will not be made by the original complainant as outlined in paragraph A of this Section. This shall only be done upon substantial evidence that a verifiable infraction has occurred.

 Time Limit on Accepting Complaints

 

Personnel complaints shall not be accepted more than thirty days after the alleged incident except for the following exceptions:

  1. When the complaint involves a criminal violation, the criminal statute of limitations will prevail. However, such limitations shall not prevent the Chief of Police from taking disciplinary action deemed necessary to preserve the integrity of the Department.
  2. When the complainant can show good cause for not making the complaint within the specified time limit, the complaint may be accepted. This determination shall be made by the Chief of Police.
  3. When otherwise authorized by the Chief of Police.

Anonymous Complaints

 

Anonymous complaints shall be investigated only at the specific direction of the Chief of Police. If a  preliminary investigation identifies a violation, the formal complaint may be signed by the Chief of Police or his designee.