HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-12 City Council (5)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONOIL&BLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
APRIL 12, 2004 CMR: 198:04
COMPLAINTS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT, THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF
2003
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
The following report is a summary of all complaints made by members of the public and
investigated by the Palo Alto Police Department during the third and fourth quarters of
2003. These numbers do not contain internal investigations, claims or lawsuits filed
against the City and Police Department. The Police Department received seven new
complaints during this period (July 2003 - December 2003). Seven complaints were
investigated during this period, including two from the second quarter of 2003. The
remaining two investigations will be completed during the first quarter of 2004.
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.
In efforts to be as open as possible, beginning with the first and second quarter Citizen
Complaint Report, staff will be highlighting any complaints that have been received that
include a reference to racial profiling or ethnic bias.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Type and Disposition Third and Fourth Quarter Report 2003
Attachment B - Type and Disposition 2003 Year-to-Date Report
Attachrnent C - Definitions of Complaints by Category
CMR: 198:04 Page 1 of 2
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DENNIS BURNS
Pol,i?e Lieutenant
"
LYNNE JOHNSON,
Police Chief
EMILY HARRISON,
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 198:04 Page 2 of 2
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ATTACHMENT C
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 disa~eement 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.
o Misconduct - Complaints that address violations of department rules or policies
beyond discourtesy. Examples include abuse of authority and sig-nificant
procedural errors.
°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.