HomeMy WebLinkAbout0232.091V
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April 18, 199.1
THE HONORABLE CITY ~~CIL
Palo Alto, california
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eitilens' complai~Summary -First Quarter 1991
Members of the Council:-
Report in Brief
On November 20, 19S9, council directed the police Department to
prepare quarterly reports that summarize citizens' complaints.
This ia an informational report of all citizens' complaints
received and investi9at~d by the Palo Alto police Department
during the tirst quarter of 1991. No council action is required.
Bagkground
section 832.7 of the california Penal Code authorizes the release
of data regarding the number, type or disposition of complaints
(sustained, not sust~ined, exonerated, or unfoundedj made against
Police Department personnel, if that information is in a fors
which does not identify the individuals involved~ The followinq
report is issued in conformance with the above provisions and is
a summary of all citizens' complaints received and investiqated
by the Palo Alto Police Department during the first quarter of
1991.
A total ot 31 complaints were received during this time period
(january -March 1991). Twenty-five of these investigations
have been concludedi the dispositions of the remaining six
complaints vill be included in next quarter"5 report.
As a aatter of routine, staff attemp~s to identify other
associated issues that may not have been inclu~ed in the initial
complaint.. Official corrective action (discipliile,. admonishment,.
traininq,. policy ~eview) occurred in all situations where a
complaint vas deemed sustained. A complaint is ·sustained-when
an investiqation discloses sufficient evidence to clearly prove
tht .llegations made. Absent such evidence,. a coaplaint may be
CXR:232'91
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deeaed -not sustained.-Other categories of disposition include:
-unfounded,· When it can be demonstrate~ that the alleged actions
did not occur; and -exonerated,· when the ~cts were consistent
with departaent policies and procedures.
~lUlrz: ~~
Police Chief
Attacllllents
CIIR:232:91
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OISPOSlI!QrolS OF 1991 CITIZENS' COMPlAINTS
(FIRST OUARTER)
POLICY! DEMEANOR! UNNECESSARY
PROCEDURE-SERVICE COURTESY MISCONDUCT fORCE TOTAL
UNfOUNPEP DlSPQS!T!QNS
THIS QUARTER 1 5 6
YEAR TO DATE 1 5 6
EXONERATED OlSPOsmoNS • THIS QUARTER 3 3 6
YEAR TO DATE 3 3 6
NOT SUSTAINED DlSPOS!I!QNS
THIS QUARTER 1 3 3 7
YEAR TO DATE 1 3 3 7
SUSTAINED DlS/'O..$1 DONS
THIS QUARTER Z' Z 1 1 6 • YEAR TO DATE Z' Z 1 1 6
IQIAl T!:!I!t Q!,!ABHR 5 3 5 12 25
TOIAL YEA!! TO DATE 5 3 5 12 25
During the first quarter .. 6 complaints were sustained 18sulting in 3 admonish menU and 't written reprimand.
"These complaints I",,,," ... department policy and p,,,,,,,du,e only; 'lC' asso<:jated employee misconduct Involved.
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DEFINITIONS OF COMPLAINTS BY CATEGORY
1. !ltj)J!1n!ant PeRcy Ind I'roce!IUrlI/No EmplOyee Misconduct· Complaints
that addnOH ilia departmenl'a poDc:1e8 anc! proc:edUI'es In general, not
employee mJsconcfuct. Exampla lnCIucIe disagreement ovar speed nmlts,
palldng lines, tramc laws, ate.
2. StrtIct • CompIaInta that addr_ the faIIur. of an employee to perform a
requlnlcl HMce. ExamplM InCIucIe faIIunt to return • phone can, fOllow
up on an investigation, _pond to a cal, atc.
3. Damaa('lO(/Coud"Y • Complalntl that add_ discourtesy by an
employee.
4. If!emn1w:f • CoII\plalnta lIIat .~ vIolaUOns of department rules or
poRdea beyond cDscourtesy. Exampla include abuse of eUIhorIty Inc!
~nt procedural errors.
5. Unmp 'N FgfCI • Complalnta that address 1IIa UII8 of ~
fon:e upon I citizen during !he course of an arrest or performance of
duIIea.
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