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The Department recognizes the importance of protecting the community from employees who have demonstrated acts of misconduct or have shown they are unfit for law enforcement work, the need to protect employees from false allegations of misconduct, and the opportunity to periodically assess the effectiveness of our policies and procedures. These objectives can only be accomplished through a consistently thorough and objective investigative process.
The Professional Standards Unit of the police department is responsible for administering the complaint process. Should you hold the impression an employee has been involved in misconduct or are dissatisfied with our service you may register a complaint by telephoning the Professional Standards Unit during regular business hours at 409-797-3790; by contacting an on-duty supervisor at 409-797-3702 after regular business hours; or by completing the following form and submitting it electronically or via United States Postal Service to the attention of the Professional Standards Unit at PO 895 , Galveston, Texas 77555. Anonymous complaints are not afforded less weight, however anonymity may preclude the Department from conducting a thorough investigation.
The Office of the Chief of Police will review the complaint and may determine there is no need for further investigation, determine there is need for further investigation by the employee's immediate supervisor, or that there is need for further investigation by investigators within the Professional Standards Unit. You will receive notification of the determination made by the Office of the Chief of Police.
The person assigned investigative responsibility for the complaint will assemble appropriate witness interviews, documentation, and evidence into an investigative packet for review by the employee's supervisory chain of command. The Department strives to complete the investigative process within thirty workdays and the review process within twenty workdays. However; workload, staffing, and the complexity of the investigation may adversely impact these goals.
If the complaint is sustained (proven true) the employee will receive appropriate discipline and/or training. The Department employs progressive disciplinary measures that include: (Documented) oral counseling, written reprimand, suspension, demotion, and indefinite suspension. Where evidence tends to support a finding of improper action that may have been based upon faulty policy or training, the result may be policy or training failure and training or policy amendment may result in lieu of disciplinary measures. In the event the complaint is not supported by sufficient evidence it will be not sustained. If the complaint is proven false or not factual it will be unfounded. If the incident complained of occurred as reported but the employee's actions were lawful and proper the disposition will be exonerated.
At the conclusion of the review process you will be notified in writing of the disposition of the complaint.
To electronically submit a complaint complete the following form.
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