NCJ Number
169699
Journal
Telemasp Bulletin Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (August 1994) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This bulletin provides general information on citizen complaints against the police and a description of policies that are used in Texas to deal with these complaints.
Abstract
The policies of various agencies that have internal mechanisms of complaint review are reviewed by using the Model Policy for handling citizen complaints developed by the Police Executive Research Forum (1981), excerpts of which are presented in this bulletin. Although none of the agencies reviewed had provisions for external or civilian review, Kerstetter's (1985) models of external review are examined for comparison. Of the 17 citizen complaint policies reviewed for this bulletin, most conform to guidelines suggested in the Model Policy, with minor adaptations. The agencies provide clear statements of purpose for dealing with citizen complaints, mechanisms for investigations of complaints with specific instructions, classification of complaints and findings, as well as the impositions of discipline as a result of sustained complaints. Selected excerpts and synopses from the Model Policy focus on statement of purpose, prevention of misconduct, data collection and analysis, code of conduct, penalties, the disciplinary process, investigation and adjudication of complaints, and conclusions of fact. 12 references