Filing Complaints
What is considered a personnel complaint?
A complaint of wrong doing or inappropriate action on the part of any employee of the Ozark Police Department.
How do I file a complaint?
When a person has a complaint against a police department employee (sworn or civilian), the complaint may be filed in person, by telephone, by email, or by completing the citizen complaint form and sending it to the office of the Chief of Police. The form can be retrieved by clicking HERE or in person at the information window of the Ozark Police Department.
What types of complaints will not be taken?
Complaints alleging disagreements on traffic or parking tickets, or probable cause for an arrest are examples of complaints that may not be taken. These are decisions for the courts to determine and not subject to review by the Ozark Police Department.
Who is responsible for investigating complaints?
In most cases, the employee’s immediate supervisor will conduct the investigation with the disposition being forwarded to the Chief of Police.
Will the police department employee be told about the complaint?
Yes. As in the case with any punitive process, the accused is afforded the right of knowing what he/she is accused of and who the accuser(s) are. This is done in fairness to the employee just as it is for any other person.
How long will the investigation take?
Whenever possible, the investigation will be complete within thirty (30) days unless unusual circumstances warrant an extension.
Will I be told how the complaint was resolved?
Once the investigation is completed, the complainant will be notified of the findings. Because of privacy laws, specific facts and disciplinary actions will not be revealed.
What are the departments various ways of classifying its findings?
1) Exonerated: The alleged incident did occur, but the actions of the officer were justified, legal and proper; or, the officer’s behavior was consistent with agency policy, but there was a policy failure.
2) Not Involved - The employee was not present at the time of the alleged misconduct.
3) Sustained: The investigation disclosed sufficient evidence to clearly sustain the allegation.
4) Not Sustained: The investigation failed to disclose sufficient evidence to clearly sustain or disprove the allegation.
5) Unfounded: The investigation indicated the alleged event did not occur.
What if the allegation turns out to be false?
If the complaint is made on a good faith belief of truth and the department member is exonerated, the case will be ended. However, if it is determined the allegation was intentionally falsely made or intended to discredit or embarrass the department member, you may be subject to criminal charges and/or civil remedies.
Click the link to access the Complaint Form