Frequently Asked Questions

A civilian complaint is your opportunity to address whatever issue or concern you may have about a Department member's performance. You can make a complaint about anything that concerns you. It will be taken seriously and handled appropriately by supervisory staff.

A personnel complaint may be made by anyone. However, it the complainant is under the age of 18, we require that the complainant be accompanied by a parent or an adult.

A complainant does not normally have to testify in any formal hearing. During the investigation, you, along with all witnesses, may be questioned concerning the incident. It is essential to any investigation to ask all pertinent questions and obtain factual information. Once an investigation is concluded, a disposition will be determined.

We encourage you to make your complaint by telephone, by mail, or by email; however, in-person is also an option. The complaint may be made at the Department of Public Safety or another mutually convenient location. The Department is primarily interested in learning about your concerns about law enforcement conduct or a need for improvement in our delivery of services.

A complaint may be made 24 hours a day. After normal business hours, a personnel complaint may be registered with any supervisor or the on-duty Watch Commander, or by calling 707-584-2600.

The complaint is assigned to a supervisor for further investigation, then sent to an independent police auditor for review. You will be notified in writing the disposition of the complaint.

Each allegation will be classified with one of the following dispositions:

• Unfounded - When the investigation discloses that the alleged act(s) did not occur or did not involve department personnel. Complaints that are determined to be frivolous will fall within the classification of unfounded.
• Exonerated - When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred, but that the act was justified, lawful and/or proper.
• Not Sustained - When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the employee.
• Sustained - When the investigation discloses sufficient evidence to establish that the act occurred and that it constituted misconduct.

We invite civilians to bring their concerns regarding law enforcement practices and services to our attention; however, anyone who alleges that a crime was committed and reports that to a peace officer, knowing the report to be false, could be charged with a misdemeanor.

There are two types of personnel complaints. The first is an informal complaint. This complaint is normally handled by the employee's supervisor for minor transgressions and is brought to the employee's attention by the supervisor. 

The second type of complaint is a formal complaint. This is for more serious types of transgressions. The formal complaint is lodged with the employee's supervisor, watch commander, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief and/or Director of Public Safety