HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-17 City Council (4)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:April 17, 1997 CMR:200:97
SUBJECT:Citizens’ Complaint Summary - First Quarter 1997
REOUEST
On November 20, 1989,. Council directed the Police Department to prepare quarterly reports
that summarize citizens’ complaints. This is an informational report of all citizens’
complaints received and investigated by the Palo Alto Police Department during the first
quarter of 1997.
RECOMMENDATIONS
No Council action is required.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
None.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The following report is a summary of all citizens’ complaints received and investigated by
the Palo Alto Police Department during the first quarter of 1997.
A total.of 11 complaints were received during this period (January to March, 1997). Seven
investigations have been concluded and the remaining complaints will be concluded in the
second quarter.
As a matter of routine, staff attempts to identify other associated issues that may not have
been included in the initial complaint. Official corrective action (discipline, admonishment, ~
training, policy review) occurred in all situations where a complaint was deemed sustained.
A complaint is "sustained" when an investigation discloses sufficient evidence to clearly prove
the allegations made. Absent such evidence, a complaint may be deemed "not sustained."
CMR:200:97 Page 1 of 2
Other categories of disposition include: "unfounded," when it can be demonstrated that the
alleged actions did not occur; and ."exonerated," when the acts were consistent with
department policies and procedures.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
None required.
ATTACHMENTS
Definitions of complaints by category.
Table of dispositions for the fiscal year.
PREPARED BY: Brad Zook, Police Lieutenant
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Chris Durki ,~olice Chief
ger
CMR:200:97 Page 2 of 2
DEFINITIONS OF COMPLAINTS BY CATEGORY
Department Policy and Procedure/No Employee Misconduct - Complaints
that address the department’s policies and procedures in general, not
employee misconduct. Examples include disagreement over speed limits,
parking fines, traffic laws, etc.
=
Service - Complaints that address the failure of an employee to perform a
required service. Examples include failure to return a phone call, follow up
on an investigation, respond to a call, etc.
3.Demeanor/Courtesy - Complaints that address discourtesy by an employee.
Misconduct - Complaints that address violations of department rules or
policies beyond discourtesy.Examples include abuse of authority and
significant procedural errors.
Unnecessary Force - Complaints that address the use of unnecessary force
upon a citizen during the course of an arrest or performance of duties.
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