Officer Complaint/Commendation Procedures

Police Employee Complaint or Compliment Procedure

The Los Fresnos Police Department is dedicated to providing exceptional service to its citizens and employees. Every effort possible is made to hold our employees to the highest standards and provide the best training available.

When You Feel You Need to File a Complaint

There may be times when a citizen is not satisfied with a contact made with one of our officers causing you to feel the need to file a complaint. It may be a concern about the level of service provided, the actions taken, the verbal or nonverbal responses or that racial profiling may have taken place. An internal investigation is initiated when a complaint is filed. Being committed to professional law enforcement, we recognize that the objective and fair investigation in pursuit of the truth is invaluable in establishing the credibility of this agency.  Based on this philosophy, the following information is provided regarding how you can file a complaint, how it will be investigated, and how it may be disposed of.

How to File Complaints

There are two types of complaints-verbal and written. Verbal complaints are usually of a minor nature and the complainant isn't necessarily concerned with seeing the officer disciplined but rather to express their opinion of how they felt about the situation or contact in question. Written complaints are usually more serious and for that reason take a more formal approach.

A person desiring to file a complaint against a police department employee should contact the Chief of Police or the Assistant Chief of Police to get a complaint form. Chapter 614 of the Texas Government Code requires that all complaints against police officers must be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. The form must be completely filled out, signed in the presence of a Notary Public, and returned.

Once the complaint is received, it will be acknowledged and an investigation will be conducted. The complainant must be prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide information as requested. The Police Officer or Officers in question will be providing information as well. Witnesses and other Officers will be contacted to give statements and records along with any other pertinent evidence. When the investigation is complete you will be notified of the results and action taken.

How to Commend a Police Employee

If you have occasion to see police department employees doing outstanding work, we encourage you to tell them and/or us about it. Everyone likes to be recognized when they do a good job. Los Fresnos Police Department is no different. In any correspondence of this nature, please include all the information you can remember such as the employee's names, the date, time, and circumstances of the incident. The employee and the City Manager will be notified of your commendation and a copy will be placed in his or her personnel file.