Filing a Complaint

Complaints may be initiated internally or filed by citizens involved in an incident. 

Any person directly involved in an incident who questions the appropriateness of a municipal employee's conduct may file a complaint with OMI. OMI is required to conduct a full investigation in every case, therefore complaints should be filed in writing.  However, if applicable, complaints can be made over the phone  or in person so long as it is made within the proper time limitations . 

Complaints can be faxed, mailed, delivered in person, or phoned in.  Complaints may be anonymous or made by a third party (i.e., someone who witnessed an incident but was not directly involved in it).  If a complaint is made anonymously or by a third party, enough information must be provided so that the incident can be corroborated.  Assuming your full cooperation and that of witnesses, the OMI staff will complete its investigation within 120 days of receiving it, with limited exception.

A complaint should have all of the following information: 

• Date
• Your Name
• Your Address
• Your Telephone Number
• Description of the incident (time, location, etc.)
• Description or name of the accuswedc employee(s)

Time Constraints

Complaints dealing with Police should meet the following restrictions:

• All complaints dealing with police must be made within a period of 90 days after the incident.
• The complainant should have the police officer's name and badge number, if known.

Handling Complaints

Following the receipt of a complaint, the Office of Municipal Investigations will send the following to the address of the complainant:

• An acknowledgment letter which will include the complainant's case number and the name of the investigator assigned to the case.
• A closing letter will be sent to the complaintant, following a full and thorough investigation of the case, informing him/her of the OMI's final disposition.