HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT OR COMPLIMENT
A message from the Chief of Police:
As your Chief of Police, my most important responsibility is to earn and maintain a trusting relationship between Police Department employees and the community we serve. This is essential to increase public confidence as we provide public safety services. Our officers are expected to use sound judgement in the performance of their duties when interacting with the public, particularly during enforcement action. Enforcement must be impartial, lawful, and reasonable. Police officers are held to the highest standard. Every encounter with an individual, whether they are a victim, witness, bystander, or a law-offender, must demonstrate extreme care and professionalism.
When a person feels that a Police Department employee has not met this obligation, they are encouraged to submit a complaint. The Department will accept and investigate all complaints concerning misconduct with courtesy and without delay. Investigations will be conducted objectively and timely and free from bias, regardless of submission method or source. All forms of retaliation, interference, intimidation or coercion against anyone who reports misconduct or cooperates with an investigation is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
The Vallejo Police Department has developed a thorough and equitable complaint and investigation process which identifies and administers corrective actions, such as training, as well as punitive action when appropriate. This process also determines if a department member acted appropriately by adhering to policies and procedures during their contact with the individual.
Every complaint will be memorialized in a report. The report will identify the facts of the complaint, the investigator’s findings, and conclude with recommendations. All completed investigations are reviewed and approved by the Professional Standards Division and the employee’s chain of command. Formal investigations that may merit punitive action are reviewed by the Department’s Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP). The DRP consists of the Professional Standards Division Commander and the department member’s chain of command, which includes their direct supervisor, and each rank above, including the Chief of Police. The panel will review the case and render a disposition opinion. The Chief of Police will make the final determination on disposition.
As with any process, there is always room for improvement. I value and invite your input on how we can strengthen this process to further earn trust and confidence, through constructive dialogue. This system will also allow the Department to receive compliments to alert us when police personnel perform their duties exceptionally well. The Department is committed to continuous and consistent growth in partnership with our community – to identify and expand our strengths and address our shortcomings.
Sincerely,
Jason Ta
Chief of Police
COMPLAINTS OR COMPLIMENTS
We accept submissions via mail, phone, fax, email, in person, or through our Public Portal at www.vallejopd.net
- Phone: Call the Watch Commander at (707) 648-5291. Complaints made in person may be resolved more quickly.
- Anonymous Complaints: We accept anonymous complaints. Please note that anonymous complaints may be harder to investigate thoroughly due to the Department’s inability to follow up with the complainant.
- Investigation Process: After submission, a supervisor or investigator will contact you within 24 hours and provide case updates every 30 days.
- Unfounded: The allegation is not true.
- Exonerated: The officer’s actions did not violate laws or policies.
- Not Sustained: Insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
- Sustained: The officer’s actions violated laws or policies, warranting discipline or remedial training.
- Frivolous: The complaint is without merit or intended to harass.
- Notification: You will receive written notice of the outcome, usually within 30 days of case completion.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Q. Why does the Department investigate its own personnel, policies, and services? Won’t you tend to “cover-up” or “stick together”?
A. NO! If an officer or employee is acting improperly, we have a duty and an interest in correcting the problem. This Department has a good record of taking appropriate action by sound evidence with sustained complaints. If you believe, after the conclusion of an investigation, that the Department has acted inappropriately, you may consult a private attorney, the Solano County District Attorney, or the California Office of the Attorney General.
Q. Will I be subjected to retaliation or revenge by the police if I complain?
A. Officers are aware that acts of retaliation are prohibited and could jeopardize their careers. If, however, you feel that you are a victim of retaliation because you complained, you should immediately bring that to the attention of the Police Department’s Watch Commander.
Q. How is an allegation proven?
A. A preponderance of the evidence sustains an allegation. Preponderance means proof that, more likely than not, the alleged conduct occurred.
Q. If I am facing criminal charges, will my complaint affect my case?
A. Absolutely not. The investigation of a complaint is separate from any criminal or civil proceedings.
Q. If a complaint is sustained, will I be provided with the discipline information in the written notification?
A. No, state law prohibits the release of this information, unless specific exemptions apply.
COMPLAINT/COMPLIMENT FORM
Submit Online or follow Mailing instructions: