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COMMENDATION AND COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
How to Commend a Department Employee
Citizens are able to commend a Department employee as a way of saying thanks for exemplary service or to let the employee know you appreciate their efforts to handle a problem. You may telephone the Chief's Office at 863-834-6907 or send us an e-mail using the link below. We will be sure to forward your message of thanks to the employee and include it in their personnel file. Please include the employee's name; date, time, and the location of incident; and the circumstances surrounding the event.
E-mail a commendation here.
Complaint Policy
The Lakeland Police Department is concerned about the level of police service provided to the community by our members. Through a continual program of in-service training and specialized seminars, members receive year-round instruction designed to improve their skills, and thus, improve the service provided to our community.
There will be times when citizens observe police conduct that is questionable. Citizens must be able to bring their legitimate concerns regarding police actions to the attention of the department for review.
Concerns over police actions are sometimes based on a misunderstanding of police policy and procedure or the law. Our supervisors are happy to discuss your concerns and explain a member's actions in a given situation.
Other times, malicious and false complaints are filed by individuals with a grudge against an officer for making an arrest or issuing a traffic citation. It is the responsibility of the Police Department to address all complaints and differentiate between false complaints and legitimate concerns.
Registering a Complaint
A complaint may be filed by a citizen, criminal defendant, or any member of the department. Anonymous complaints are accepted with the understanding that a follow up investigation is more difficult when the complainant is unknown. Complaints may be registered at the Police Department or City Hall with City Commissioners or other authorized individuals. Complainants are asked to complete a complaint form, which includes a sworn statement of the facts known to the person at that time.
Once received, all complaints are forwarded to Internal Affairs for review. Whenever possible, minor allegations are assigned to the member's supervisor for investigation.
Complaints of a more serious nature are forwarded to the Chief of Police to initiate a formal Internal Affairs investigation.
Download the complaint form here.
Investigative Process
Once a complaint has been received, the investigation begins. This includes sworn statements from all witnesses and the collection of evidence. Investigations are conducted under the stringent guidelines of the Florida Police Officers' Bill of Rights, Florida Statute 112.531-535.
All investigative reports are reviewed by Internal Affairs to ensure completeness and objectivity prior to the case being closed. Reports must not reflect any personal opinion, but rather present an unbiased picture of the facts.
The final report is forwarded through the member's chain of command for evaluation and recommendations. Appropriate disciplinary action is taken, if necessary.
Those who have filed a complaint are notified by Internal Affairs, via registered mail, of the final disposition of the complaint.
Dispositions
The disposition of a complaint is classified as follows:
- Sustained - Allegation is supported by sufficient evidence.
- Not Sustained - Not guilty by insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
- Exonerated - Incident occurred but the member acted lawfully and/or properly.
- Unfounded - Incident did not occur or employee was not involved.
- Policy Failure - The allegation is true, but the investigation reveals policy or procedural changes are necessary.
Discipline
There are several types of corrective actions which can be recommended for a sustained complaint.
- Training
- Formal Warning
- Formal Reprimand
- Suspension
- Demotion
- Termination
For more information on the complaint process or if you need assistance in filing a citizen complaint, please contact:
Internal Affairs Unit
863-834-6925 or
863-834-8902
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