|
COMPLAINT OR COMPLIMENT? The St. Thomas Police Service is committed to providing a high level of police services to our community. In order to be responsive to our community's needs, it is essential that we have public input. Your constructive comments about our service, both good and bad, will help to improve and to achieve our goals. There are times when a member of the Police Service may act in a way that citizens do not understand or do not like. Sometime, we are working within our limitations of policies, procedures or legislation. We do make mistakes. It is only by bringing
your concerns to our attention that we can identify and deal with issues
effectively.
If you've recently observed a member of the St. Thomas Police Service going the extra mile or doing that extra deed, we'd like to hear from you! We are extremely proud of our members and we would like you to help us acknowledge all those extras that we know our members do on a daily basis. Your time completing the following is appreciated. We'll be in touch and make sure that the deed does not go unacknowledged.
PUBLIC COMPLAINTS PROCESS Citizen's guide for filing complaints about the policies of, services provided, or the conduct of a police officer employed by the St. Thomas Police Service. Defining a Complaint: There are two types of complaints. They relate to: 1. The policies of,
or services provided by, the St. Thomas Police Service
1. If you are directly
affected by an incident, you may make a complaint. Your complaint must
be in writing, signed and mailed, faxed or delivered to our Police headquarters,
or the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services in Toronto. How is my complaint processed? The Chief of Police, or his designate, must determine how your complaint is to proceed and if your complaint concerns conduct, policies or services of the St. Thomas Police Service. The Chief may decide not to deal with the complaint:
The decision of the Chief must be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of the complaint. Review of the Decision If you disagree with the initial classification of your complaint as either a policy, service or conduct issue, you may request that the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services review the Chief's decision not to deal with the complaint. However, in either case, your request must be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of the decision. You should provide the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services with as much information as possible, including your reasons for requesting the review. The Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services may confirm the decision of the Chief of Police, refer your complaint back for investigation or assign it to another police service. There is no appeal from the decision of the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services. Information Resolution of Your Complaint The Police Services Act encourages an informal resolution of conduct complaints, at any time during the process, where the Chief of Police concludes that it was not of a serious nature and both you and the police officer consent to the proposed resolution. How may I withdraw my complaint? You may withdraw your complaint at any time in writing. However, the Chief of Police may continue to deal with your complaint if it is felt that the circumstances warrant further action. Complaints about policy or services. If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Chief of Police or his designate, you may request that a review of the complaint by making a written request to the St. Thomas Police Services Board within thirty (30) days of having received notice of the decision. Complaints about Conduct. The Chief of Police must ensure that every conduct complaint is investigated (except for reasons cited above). After the investigation is completed, the Chief of Police or his designate may:
Can I file a complaint about the off-duty conduct of a police officer? A complaint may be filed about the conduct of an off-duty officer, however, the officer shall not be found guilty of misconduct if there is no connection between the conduct and either the occupational requirements for a police officer or the reputation of the police service.
If the Chief of Police orders a disciplinary hearing, a prosecuting officer, or legal counsel or agent as designated by the Chief, is responsible for presenting the evidence. You will be informed about your participation at the hearing. The hearing is presided over by a Hearing Officer who is also designated by the Chief. The Hearing Officer considers the evidence and decides the outcome. An officer found guilty of misconduct could face a range of penalties from reprimand to dismissal and could also be directed to undergo counselling, treatment or training. What can I do if I am not satisfied with a decision at a disciplinary hearing? A person making a complaint or the police officer named in a complaint may appeal to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services within thirty (30) days of the decision of a disciplinary hearing if the officer's misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance was not established. If a complainant wishes to appeal a penalty imposed by the Hearing Officer, consent from the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services is required. Who are the police accountable to in the new complaint's system? The Chief of Police is accountable to the St. Thomas Police Services Board which reviews the administration of the complaints system. The Chief is also accountable to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services for the Service's handling of complaints. Addresses for filing complaints: Please note that complaints must be written, signed and cannot be accepted by email. Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services St. Thomas Police Service Telephone number: 519-631-1224 (business office) [
Home ] [ Mission Statement
] [ General Info ] [ Police
Services ] [ Employment ] [ Professional
Standards ] 30
St. Catharine Street, St.Thomas, Ontario, Canada - Phone: (519) 631-1224
Fax: (519) 633-9028 Emergency: 9-1-1
|
||