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1. All formal citizen complaints are referred to the Internal Affairs Unit, including those complaints made at the Equal Opportunity Department (EOD). 2. An Administrative Investigation Referral Form is completed to initiate a formal complaint and investigation. 3. A letter acknowledging receipt of the complaint is sent to the complainant by the Inspector of Police. 4. All formal complaints are received, coordinated, and processed by the Internal Affairs Unit. However, minor complaints may be assigned to Bureau Commanders for investigation. 5. The complainant may be interviewed if necessary, either at the Police Department or at a location mutually agreed upon if desired. 6. An investigator/supervisor is assigned to conduct a preliminary investigation. 7. The investigator/supervisor gathers existing documentation and submits it to the Inspector of Police for review. 8. The Inspector evaluates the preliminary information to determine if the complaint indicates possible misconduct. 9. If, after reviewing the preliminary investigation, the Inspector determines that the evidence reflects that no employee misconduct occurred, he/she shall forward the documentation to the Chief of Police for review. 10. If the Chief agrees with the Inspector’s findings, the Inspector will forward, in writing, the disposition of the complaint to the complainant and the subject of the investigation. 11. If the Inspector determines in a review of the facts that possible employee misconduct occurred, an investigation will be initiated. 12. The assigned investigator/supervisor will conduct interviews of the involved subjects and witnesses, and gather all pertinent documentation. 13. The investigator/supervisor shall complete a detailed investigative report. Anyone may submit relevant evidence during the investigation. 14. The completed investigation is then forwarded to the Inspector for review. The Inspector determines if misconduct has occurred. 15. The Inspector prepares a disposition and forwards it to the subject’s Bureau Commander for review. 16. If a complaint is classified as “sustained,” the Bureau Commander and the Inspector will make a recommendation for discipline and will sign the report signifying agreement with the facts as outlined in the report. 17. The completed investigation is then forwarded to the Chief of Police for final approval. The Chief reviews the information and approves the disposition, and the Inspector will forward a letter to the complainant outlining the results of the investigation. 18. If the recommendation by the Inspector is that the complaint be classified as "exonerated", "unfounded", "not sustained", or "not involved", the complainant may make objections in writing or in person at the Internal Affairs Unit or at the Equal Opportunity Department (EOD). 19. If the complaint was filed through the Equal Opportunity Office (EOD), the complainant will be contacted by the EOD Director to ensure the complainant understands the investigation and to assist the complainant if additional information is needed.
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