Escambia County Sheriff's Office Complaint Procedure 7/16/24

Questions and Answers

What is the priority level at which the ECSO addresses complaints concerning job performance and/or conduct of its members?

As non-urgent matters

As matters of utmost urgency (correct)

As low-priority cases

As minor issues

Who will immediately forward citizen complaints to the Internal Affairs Unit for recording and review?

Only supervisors

Only the OIC or designee

All members of the ECSO (correct)

Only citizen complainants

What is the purpose of maintaining confidentiality of citizen complaint files?

To protect the citizen complainants

To intimidate citizens from filing complaints

To protect the ECSO members

In accordance with Florida Statutes (correct)

Who can initiate a complaint of misconduct?

A member's supervisor or other members Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a citizen complaint is resolved due to a misunderstanding of law or procedure?

It is not documented Signup and view all the answers

How are citizen complaints assigned numbers?

Starting with 'C' then the year, followed by the chronological number Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a citizen complaint changes into an Internal Affairs investigation?

The original case number is used Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Internal Affairs OIC or designee logging the complaint in the IA Pro Computer Program?

To maintain a record of complaints Signup and view all the answers

When are Internal Affairs case numbers issued?

After the case is first reviewed by the OIC or designee of Internal Affairs Signup and view all the answers

Where are paper records securely maintained after an investigation is completed?

In the Internal Affairs office Signup and view all the answers

What is required for formal complaints of member misconduct or wrongdoing?

A written statement from the complainant, using the ECSO Statement of Complaint form Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a complainant refuses to provide a sworn statement?

The supervisor receiving the complaint will reduce the allegation to writing and forward it to the OIC or designee Signup and view all the answers

How are complainants notified of the final disposition of a case?

Using a form letter or email Signup and view all the answers

What happens to all formal written complaints?

They are forwarded to the OIC or designee of the Internal Affairs Unit Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Complaint Receipt Procedures

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office treats all complaints concerning job performance and/or conduct of its members as matters of utmost urgency.

Complaint Forwarding Procedures

All ECSO members will immediately forward citizen complaints to the OIC or designee of the Internal Affairs Unit for recording and review, regardless of the nature of the complaint.
Supervisors may attempt to resolve citizen complaints resulting from a misunderstanding of law or procedure, but if resolved, these complaints do not require documentation.

Complaint Confidentiality and Recording

The ECSO maintains the confidentiality of citizen complaint files according to Florida Statutes.
Complaints are logged in the IA Pro Computer Program, with citizen complaints assigned numbers starting with "C" and Internal Affairs cases assigned numbers starting with "I".

Formal Complaint Procedures

All formal and/or substantive complaints of member misconduct or wrongdoing are reported and documented in writing using the ECSO Statement of Complaint form.
If the complainant refuses to provide a sworn statement, the supervisor will reduce the allegation to writing and forward it to the OIC or designee of the Internal Affairs Unit.
Anonymous complaints are attested to in writing by the supervisor receiving the complaint.

Complaint Disposition Notification

Complainants are notified of the final disposition of the case using a form letter or email.