Recommendation 38.2

MPD should ensure that supervisors are trained on their responsibilities under the new policy requiring acceptance of public complaints.

Current:

Standard Operating Procedure 450 – Personnel Investigations details proper procedures to follow regarding personnel investigations. SOP 450 defines a Citizen Complaint as, “An allegation of a Code of Conduct violation, standard operating procedure or criminal allegation committed by one or more department members. A citizen complaint can be made either orally or in writing, provided that the complainant is an adult, parent or legal guardian of a juvenile complaint, attorney representing an aggrieved party or a translator representing a non-English speaking complainant.”

SOP 450.05(D) states, “Whenever a citizen communicates dissatisfaction with one or more department members that does not rise to the level of a standard operating procedure or Code of Conduct violation, a PI-31 (Citizen Complaint Report) shall not normally be completed. However, when in doubt as to whether a violation has occurred or whenever a citizen is adamant that a complaint be filed, the supervisor shall document the citizen’s statements on a PI-31.” All formally documented citizen complaints receive a tracking number. MPD would welcome technical assistance to determine a practical opportunity to achieve this recommendation.