CPD, MUPD handle internal investigation reports
The departments have quality standards for police behavior.
Published Nov. 10, 2009
Local law enforcement agencies keep careful records of complaints filed by citizens in Internal Investigation Reports.
The Columbia and MU police departments accept complaints in a variety of forms, including phone calls, via the departments' Web sites and by mail.
MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer organizes and keeps track of all complaints MUPD receives, MUPD Capt. Scott Richardson said. Weimer compiles reports that let the police chief know what types of complaints have been filed.
Supervisors can handle minor complaints, but more commonly the commander in charge of the division or a person assigned by the chief deals with them, Richardson said.
MUPD's standards for internal investigations are based on national requirements.
"We base our policies on the standards from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies," Richardson said.
CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said the department receives all kinds of information on the city's online feedback form. Citizens can use the form to complain about or compliment a CPD officer.
Complaints are either categorized as administrative or criminal. If an officer violated department policy, such as failing to explain what they were doing, the complaint is administrative, Haden said.
Criminal complaints are filed if an officer is accused of breaking the law. CPD's Investigative Division handles these cases. Haden said criminal complaints are few and far between.
Sometimes people misuse the complaint system, Haden said. On some occasions, people try to use the complaint system instead of the courts if they are upset about a ticket.
CPD has also received complaints about officer misconduct from people who were not present during the incident, Haden said.
Several months ago, more than 10 people complained about an officer and only two of them were actually there when the alleged misconduct occurred.
Haden said the audio and video recordings from police cars are particularly useful when sorting out who actually witnessed an event.
In some instances, Haden has received interview requests on the feedback form.
Despite this occasional misuse, CPD takes every complaint very seriously, Haden said.
"The way you find out if a complaint is legitimate is to treat it as if it is. You have to thoroughly investigate each and every one," she said.
Haden also said complaints usually go through the chain of command before being investigated by CPD's Professional Standards Unit.
The Professional Standards Unit became operational in 2008 and consists of a sergeant and a lieutenant, CPD's Web site stated. These people have undergone specialized training in internal affairs investigations.
Internal investigations can also result in policy changes. A complaint filed in an internal investigation report last November about improper use of a Taser led to clarifying changes in the Department's Taser Policy.
The first thing CPD does when handling an internal investigation, is notify the officer in question that they are under investigation.
Officers have the right to waive the investigation and admit fault, Haden said. Otherwise, the Professional Standards Unit contacts anyone involved in the case and looks at the audio and video recordings from the officer's police car.
If an officer's behavior is found improper at the conclusion of the investigation, disciplinary action will be taken, Haden said. Penalties vary on a case-by-case basis.
If it seems like a one-time mistake, it is likely the officer will receive a written warning. If the misconduct is a pattern of behavior, a suspension might be in order, Haden said.
Haden also said it is important officers behave appropriately.
"Our police chief is a real stickler for customer service," she said.