Public Complaints Frequently Asked Questions

What is a complaint?

There are two kinds of complaints:

1. The policies of, or services provided by the St. Thomas Police Service;
2. The conduct of a St.Thomas Police officer.

Who can file a complaint?

Any member of the public who is directly affected by the conduct of a police officer, the service provided by, or the policies of the St. Thomas Police Service.

How long do I have to file a complaint?

You must usually file a complaint within six (6) months of the incident.

How can you file a complaint?

A complaint must be in writing, signed by the complainant and mailed, faxed or delivered to any Police Service in Ontario or to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).

You may write your complaint in a letter or use a standard form available at any police station or at Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) website.

To assist us in handling your complaint in a timely manner, we need as much detail as possible, such as time, date, witness(s), if any, your address and phone number.

A complaint may be filed about the conduct of an off-duty police officer as long as there is a connection between the conduct and either the duty of a police officer or the reputation of the Police Service.

What is the Office of the Independent Police Review Director?

It is an independent civilian agency separate from the Government that reports annually to the Attorney General’s Office of Ontario.

How is the complaint dealt with?

Initially, the complaint will be classified by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) as having to do with the conduct of a police officer, or the service provided by, or the policies of the St. Thomas Police Service.

At this point, the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) may decide not to deal with the complaint on the basis that it was filed after the six (6) month limit, or it is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith, or that the complainant was not directly affected by the incident. Classifications made by the OIPRD cannot be appealed or reviewed. They are final.

The OIPRD will then forward the complaint (not addressed above) for investigation to the involved police service, another police service, or investigate the complaint themselves.

What happens next?

There are four possible conclusions to your complaint:

1. The Chief may decide, if all parties agree, that the complaint can be resolved through an informal resolution;
2. After the investigation, the Chief may find that the complaint is unsubstantiated;
3. The Chief may find that the complaint is substantiated and impose a penalty without holding a formal hearing if the misconduct is not serious and the officer agrees to the penalty. If the officer does not agree to the penalty, then a formal hearing must be held;
4. The Chief may find that the complaint is substantiated and decide to hold a formal disciplinary hearing.

What is an informal resolution?

A less serious complaint about an officer's conduct may be resolved by way of an informal resolution. This involves bringing the complainant and the subject officer together to hear each other’s concerns or by some other mutually agreeable forum.

This resolution requires the consent of the complainant, the officer, the approval of the Chief of Police and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).

How can I withdraw a complaint?

After filing a complaint, you may decide not to pursue the matter. You can withdraw a complaint by completing a Withdrawal Form yourself (on-line Form) and mailing it to the St. Thomas Police Service or by attending the St. Thomas Police Service and filling out the Withdrawal Form in person. Despite your withdrawal, the Chief may decide to continue to deal with the matter if it is felt that the allegations merit investigation.

Can I appeal a decision?

A complainant may request that the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) review the following:

1. The findings after an investigation.

You must write or fax your request for a review to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) within thirty (30) days of being informed of the decision.

If my complaint is substantiated, what will happen to the officer?

There are a range of options available to the Chief of Police including:

• Reprimand
• Suspension
• Forfeiture of days
• Criminal Charges
• Termination

In some cases, training is an appropriate remedy.

Do I have any guarantee that I will be satisfied?

We cannot guarantee that you will be satisfied with the results, however, we can assure you that your complaint will be thoroughly and impartially investigated.