Thank you for taking the time to provide a commendation or complaint regarding a member of the Tigard Police Department. We work hard every day to ensure the services we provide are of exceptional quality, and we also recognize the need to acknowledge and learn from mistakes. Whatever information you provide here, whether positive or negative in nature, will be taken seriously, thoroughly reviewed and acted upon.

While we encourage those who make complaints to provide their name and other identifying information so that we may follow up with you to get more information about your experience or inform you of the outcome of an investigation, we do accept anonymous complaints. We understand there may be some in our community who feel uneasy speaking up against those who are sworn to protect and serve, and we want to make sure this process is open to everyone without the fear of reprisal or retaliation.

If you do provide your contact information, a supervisor will contact you so that he or she may review what happened, ask clarifying questions and determine if there is anyone else he or she should contact regarding the incident. The supervisor will be an active listener, seek clarification, and will be free of any bias or dismissive behavior.

A commendation or complaint may address any event you deem worthy of recognition. This could be any expression of dissatisfaction regarding services, policies or interactions, as well as any allegation of misconduct or criminal wrongdoing. Alternately, it could also be displays of unusual courtesy, compassion or a service you feel is valuable to significant lifesaving measures or heroic acts.

Your observations are important to us and help us do an even better job of serving you. Thank you!

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM TO SUBMIT A COMMENDATION OR COMPLAINT:

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Once your complaint is received and documented, it will be investigated by a supervisor and reviewed by the Chief of Police and Command Staff. Unless you remain anonymous, an investigator will speak with you to ask you about your experience and clarify your concerns. The investigator may also interview other people, including the involved employee.

The investigation should be completed within 30 days. The investigator will report to his or her Division Commander and every complaint beyond minor rule violations will be reviewed by the Chief of Police prior to conclusion. The Chief or Division Commander makes the final determination on all formal complaints.

Unless you remain anonymous, you will be notified of our findings when the investigation is concluded. The decision will be one of four findings:

• Sustained: the employee committed all or part of the alleged acts.
• Not sustained: there was insufficient information to prove or disprove the allegation.
• Unfounded: the alleged acts did not occur.
• Exonerated: the alleged acts occurred, but were justified, legal, proper and consistent with department policy.

If an allegation is sustained, appropriate action will be taken. Actions will correspond with the egregiousness of the offense and may include a verbal or written reprimand, counseling, suspension of duty or termination. For example, a minor rule violation may result in a verbal or written reprimand, while criminal conduct would lead to termination. The action may also include a policy and/or procedural change.

If you are not satisfied with the results of your complaint, you may request a meeting with the Division Commander. If you have any questions or would like further assistance, contact the Professional Standards Sergeant by phone (503-639-6168 option 5) or in person at the Tigard Police Department during business hours (13125 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard OR, 97223).