How to File a Complaint

We depend on the personal integrity and discipline of each employee and maintain a professional standards function to respond to allegations of misconduct against the department or its employees. We take complaints against our employees seriously. We also have a duty to protect our personnel from malicious allegations.

A complaint consists of any allegation of misconduct or improper job performance against any department employee that, if true, would constitute a violation of department policy, federal, state or local law. Complaints may be classified as follows:

  • Incomplete - A matter in which the complaining party either refuses to cooperate or becomes unavailable after diligent follow-up investigation
  • Informal - A matter in which the complaining party is satisfied that appropriate action has been taken by a department supervisor of rank greater than the accused employee (a field supervisor has the discretion to handle the types of complaints)
  • Formal - A matter in which the complaining party requests further investigation or which a department supervisor determines that further action is warranted (these complaints may be investigated by a department supervisor of a rank greater than the accused employee or referred to the Criminal Investigation Division's lieutenant depending on the seriousness and complexity of the investigation)

Note: Texas Government Code Section 614.022 (link) requires that all formal complaints against an officer be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint.