Chapter 7
Systems for Supervision, Accountability, Organizational Learning, Remediation, and Discipline
Finding 40
MPD policy does not require that members are notified when they are the subject of a complaint investigation.
MPD should notify members when they are subject to a complaint allegation and investigation, unless it would jeopardize the Department's ability to investigate the misconduct successfully.
MPD SOP 450.35 – Personnel Investigations, Investigation Procedures explains in detail the procedures for notifying a member when they are under investigation for an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct or standard operating procedure and are subject to an interview for any reason, which could lead to disciplinary action, demotion or discharge from MPD. Prior to conducting an interview that requires an accused member to provide oral statements, the investigating supervisor shall complete the Internal Investigation-Informing the Member Report form (PI-21).
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While this sounds good in theory, I actually disagree. Notifying officers when they're being investigated could potentially put the person who made the complaint at risk.
Harassment from police is especially likely for people who are part of certain groups (undocumented folks, sex workers, etc).
I think if there's a way to potentially bring up the officer's behavior, that's one thing. But telling an officer they've been reported. I'm thinking of all the times as a victim I reported something and if I knew that the person was going to immediately be told they'd been reported, I'd be terrified.
I think there's a way to fix the behavior once they've been reported, but not by telling them they're reported.