Citizen Feedback

Policy

It is the policy of the Chapin Police Department to ensure that integrity is maintained through an internal system where objectivity, fairness and justice are assured by intensive and impartial investigation. The internal affairs function is important for the maintenance of professional conduct in any law enforcement agency. The integrity of the Chapin Police Department depends on the personal integrity and discipline of each employee. To a large degree, the public image of the Chapin Police Department is determined by the quality of the internal affairs function in responding to allegations of misconduct by the Chapin Police Department or its employees. All internal investigations fall under the direct supervision of the Chief of Police. 

Officer Acknowledgements

The Chapin Police Officers also love knowing when they have made a positive impact. If you wish to highlight one of our Officers that decided to go above and beyond during their interaction with the public please make us aware by filling out the following form: Officer Acknowledgement

Complaints

In Person Complaints: Citizen complaints may be taken by any member of the Chapin Police Department who is approached for such assistance. However, in the event a nonsupervisory employee is contacted about a complaint, the employee will notify his/her supervisor as soon as practical. The Chief of Police or a supervisor may attempt to resolve the complaint by explanation of the Chapin Police department policies and procedures, where applicable. Whenever any private individual wishes to register a complaint against an employee of the Chapin Police Department, that individual shall be provided with the opportunity and any assistance needed to record their complaint. The following procedures shall be followed immediately and at the time that an individual informs a member of the Chapin Police Department of his or her desire to have an investigation initiated:

A Citizen Complaint and Inquiry Form will be provided to the individual, with instructions and assistance in completing the form. If the individual cannot write, the accepting officer may write the complaint. The officer may also make an audio and/or video recording of the complaint.

The completed form shall be placed in a sealed envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and hand delivered to the Chief of Police, or if his/her office is closed, it may be placed in his designated box. This action will be followed with an e-mail message to the Chief of Police confirming that the envelope was placed into his box.

Online Complaints: Citizen complaints may also be submitted online using the following form. All submissions will be sent directly to the Chief of Police. Citizen Complaint Form

Disclaimer: If the contents of the complaint are allegation of corruption, breaches of civil rights, unnecessary use of force, or criminal misconduct, the accepting officer shall notify the Chief of Police as soon as practical that a citizen’s complaint has been received and forwarded. The Chief of Police will then make the determination where to conduct an inter-department investigation of the allegation or refer to SLED. No names, identifying information or details of the allegations shall be disclosed to any other employee except the Chief of Police.

All other complaints do not require immediate notification of the Chief of Police but should occur no later than the following business day.