Initial Complaints Alleging Officer Misconduct
I. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for receiving complaints of alleged
officer misconduct.
II. Policy
It is the policy of the South Kingstown Police Department that the duty OIC will
initially interview any citizen wishing to register a complaint alleging officer
misconduct. The OIC will debrief the complainant as to the allegation and explain
the department protocol (applicable rule and regulation) and determine what
resolution the complainant may be seeking. This interaction would provide a
professional approach and would alert the OIC that a complaint has been made before
being referred to the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU). If the complainant decides to file a
formal complaint the OIC will explain the process and provide the applicable form.
This eliminates officers, dispatchers, or civilian employees from handing out a
civilian complaint form.
III. Definition
Police Misconduct: Violation of any Federal or State laws as well as violation of
Department Rules and Regulations, Policies, Standing Orders, or Town Ordinances.
IV. Procedure
a. When a citizen contacts a department member or employee for the purpose of
filing or discussing a complaint of alleged police misconduct, that person will be
referred directly to the duty OIC regardless of what shift the incident occurred.
b. It is the responsibility of the duty OIC to respond to the station and initiate an
interview with the complainant or arrange an interview if the complainant is not
readily available.
c. The OIC will interview the complainant to determine if the allegation appears to
be an administrative infraction or a violation of law. The OIC will explain the
applicable regulation to the complainant and attempt to mediate the issue if the
alleged violation is administrative only.
d. If the complainant wishes to pursue a formal complaint as provided by Law and
Standing Order 87-04, the OIC will provide the complainant with a complaint
form and explain the process of an IAU investigation.
e. Once a complaint is generated either at the time of the initial OIC interview or
when the complaint form is delivered, it will be forwarded to the Police Chief for
review and possible referral to IAU.
f. Upon completion of the initial interview the OIC will generate a report to the
Captain of Operations identifying the accused officer(s) along with the name,
address and telephone number of the complainant and a description of the
incident. If a formal complaint is made the OIC will forward the complaint form
to the Captain of Operations indicating the time, date and place the OIC
interviewed the complainant.
g. The Chief and Captains may receive complaints directly in situations where the
complainant specifically requests such a meeting.