HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 309-06City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
July 31, 2006 CMR: 309:06
COMMENDATIONS AND COMPLAINTS MADE BY MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRST AND SECOND
QUARTERS OF 2006
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
The following report is a summary of all commendations and complaints made by members of
the public and investigated by the Palo Alto Police Department during the first and second
quarters of 2006. A summary of commendations for employees is also included. Most
commendations reflect the demeanor or professionalism of the employee(s) or highlight the
outstanding or "above and beyond" type of service received.
The Police Department received four new complaints during this period (January 2006 - July
2006). One complaint was investigated during this period. The remaining investigations will be
completed during the third quarter of 2006. The Police Department did not receive any racial
profiling complaints during the first and second quarters of 2006.
Official corrective action (discipline, admonishment, training, and/or 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 is usually deemed not sustained. 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.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Type and Disposition First and Second Quarter Report 2006
Attachment B - Definitions of Complaints by Category
CMR: 309:06 Page 1 of 2
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
KEITH
~ .e]L~eutenant
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Police Chief
.~’EMILYHARRIS ON
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 309:06 Page 2 of 2
-- Z
ATTACHMENT B
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.
o 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.
o
o
Unnecessary Force - Complaints that address the use of unnecessary force upon a
member of the public during the course of an arrest or performance of duties.
Racial Profiling - Complaints that allege that a person was contacted based upon
their race or ethnicity.