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Compliment or Complaint
How to Compliment or Complain
- Telephone the Police Chief's Office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 407-703-1789
- Come in person to the department at 112 East 6th Street, Apopka, Florida 32703 and ask to speak with a supervisor
- Present a completed complement or complaint form to the Records office or to any supervisor of the Apopka Police Department. The form can also be obtained in the lobby of the Police Department.
Process After Filing
The compliment, or complaint, will be routed to the appropriate members of the department. Compliments will be placed in the employee's file and complaints will be thoroughly investigated.
Anonymous Complaints
A compliment or complaint may be made by any citizen or a member of the Apopka Police Department. Anonymous complaints will be investigated, but definitive conclusions may not be found, or may be difficult to find, due to the nature of the complaint.
Compliments
- Members of the public who have a compliment regarding a member of the Apopka Police Department are encouraged to compliment the member in writing on the department's compliment form.
- The completed compliment form, along with the associated incident report or other documentation as necessary, will be forwarded to the police chief through the member's chain of command for inclusion in the member's file.
- If you wish to only compliment verbally, please speak to a supervisor who will reduce the compliment to writing in memo form and forward to the police chief thorough the member's chain of command for inclusion in the member's file.
- Please give as much information as possible, including your name and related information for the police chief.
Types of Complaints
Complaints, generally, fall under two categories:- Serious Misconduct - commission of an unlawful act or actions on the part of the employee which warrants a detailed investigation by Professional Standards.
- Minor Misconduct - violations of department written rules and/or regulations.
Minor misconduct is investigated by a unit supervisor and written report is forwarded to the division captain. Serious complaints are investigated by Professional Standards. A report is prepared which includes sworn statements from the complainant, the accused, and the witnesses.
Completed Investigation Report
The completed investigation report also includes a narrative summary of the events and a finding of the facts. The report must present an accurate account of the circumstances as they actually occurred. This permits the supervisors to make a proper recommendation, based on the investigative findings presented. Recommendations for discipline are made according to department directives and ultimately approved by the Chief of Police.
Keeping Citizens Informed
It is the department's policy to have the person who investigated the complaint contact the citizen lodging the complaint to inform him or her of the resolution.Complaints
By policy, all complaints will be investigated by either a supervisor within the department or be turned over to the Professional Standards Section (internal affairs) depending on the nature and severity of the complaint.Speak to a Supervisor
First line supervisors within the department are the best to field complaints and to handle the initial inquiry regarding performance related issues of their subordinates. Members of the public who have an issue with the manner an employee conducted him or herself should feel comfortable speaking to a supervisor about the issue.
Misconduct & Misunderstandings
Often, citizen complaints are not allegations of misconduct but misunderstandings of law or procedure. The supervisor may be able to explain the law or procedures to the public's satisfaction. If there was no violation of law or policy and the complaint was about an issue of law or procedure, the complaint may be resolved right away.
However, if the complaint alleges misconduct or violation of policy is discovered, the supervisor will ensure that the complaint is investigated thoroughly and a resolution is provided to the member of the public that brought the incident to light.
It is the mission of the department to provide professional law enforcement services by professional and highly trained law enforcement officers. Any misconduct will not be tolerated.
Possible Dispositions of Complaints
- Exonerated - the incident occurred, but was lawful and proper.
- Not Sustained - there is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation.
- Policy Revision - the action of the agency or the employee was consistent with agency policy; however, the policy may require amending or revision.
- Sustained - the allegation is supported by sufficient evidence to justify a reasonable conclusion of guilt.
- Unfounded - the allegation is false or not factual.
Types of disciplinary action which can be recommended for a sustained case include:
- Verbal Reprimand
- Written Reprimand
- Suspension
- Disciplinary Probation
- Demotion
- Dismissal