How to File a Complaint or Commend an Employee of the Stephenville Police Department
The Stephenville Police Department is vitally interested in taking action when its employees are guilty of wrongdoing. Your complaint will be given a fair and thorough investigation. By the same token, if you see a Stephenville Police Department employee who performs outstanding work, tell us about it. Following are procedures for filing a complaint or commending an employee.
How to file a complaint
Complaints against a Police Department employee can be directed to the Stephenville Police Department, Professional Standards Unit, 356 N. Belknap, Stephenville, TX 76401. Texas law requires that all complaints against police officers be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. Complaints must be made within 30 days of the incident unless special circumstances exist. The person who was wronged must file the complaint; other persons may give statements as witnesses. The informal complaint process is used for issues such as discourteousness. The formal complaint process is utilized to report any official misconduct, dereliction of duty, etc. The Professional Standards Unit will ensure that a thorough investigation of your complaint is conducted. Just as citizens who are arrested must be told the charges against them, a police employee must be given a copy of the complaint before any disciplinary action is taken. When the investigation is completed, you will be notified of the results and action taken.
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False complaints
If a person knowingly and intentionally makes a false statement under oath, or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made under oath, that person may be found guilty and punished by a fine up to $4,000, confinement in jail up to one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.
What happens when a complaint is upheld?
When the investigation finds that the charges against a police employee are true, the Police Chief notifies the employee and may take one of the following actions:
- Reprimand the employee verbally or in writing;
- Suspend the employee without pay;
- Demote the employee; or
- Discharge the employee.
Employees can appeal the department's decision to uphold a complaint and the decision to discipline the employee.
What happens when a complaint is not upheld?
Complaints must be supported by sufficient evidence. When the investigation cannot find the degree of evidence necessary to prove the employee acted improperly, the employee and the citizen are both notified in writing.
What if you are not satisfied with the outcome?
You may appeal the findings of the Professional Standards Unit to the Police Chief at 356 N. Belknap, Stephenville, TX 76401 or the Office of the City Manager at 298 W. Washington, Stephenville, TX 76401.
Racial Profiling Complaints
CCP Art. 2.132 Law Enforcement Policy on Racial Profiling requires the department to provide public education on the racial profiling complaint process. For the Stephenville Police Department, this process is the same as the department's complaint process, as described in this publication.
How do I commend a Police Department employee?
- Write a letter to the employee's supervisor or the Police Chief at 356 N. Belknap, Stephenville, Texas 76401.
- Call the Police Department at 254-918-1200 and ask to speak with the employee's supervisor. If you are unsure of the employee's name, describe the employee and the specific actions or demeanor that impressed you. Mention the location, date and time the incident occurred.
- Contact the Stephenville Police Professional Standards Unit by sending an email to: dmcclammy@stephenvilletx.gov
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