Commending Superior Performance

If you wish to commend the action of any West Sacramento Police Department employee, you can:

• Ask to speak to the employee's supervisor and verbally communicate your praise, or
• You can write a letter to the Chief of Police explaining your praise.

Commendations received by the Chief of Police for any West Sacramento Police Department employee will result in advising the employee of your gratitude, and in permanently recording his/her actions and your appreciation in the employee's personnel file. An awards committee reviews all reports of outstanding performance, and an appropriate award may follow.

Citizen Complaint Procedure

Our Policy

It is the policy of the City of West Sacramento and the West Sacramento Police Department to encourage citizens to bring forward complaints concerning the conduct of its members whenever the citizen believes that a law enforcement act is improper. Complaints will be received courteously by a police supervisor. This ensures the integrity of the department while protecting the rights and interests of both citizens and department employees. The following is a brief synopsis of what you may expect to happen:

File a Complaint/ Compliment

The Interview

A police supervisor will interview you about your complaint. He/She will ask you questions about what happened. It is possible that the supervisor may be able to explain the employee's action(s) to your satisfaction.

Normally you will be interviewed at the West Sacramento Police Department. You may expect to be audio taped during the interview.

The supervisor will ask you for the names of all witnesses and other police department employees that may know facts about your complaint. It is important to have as much information as possible.

Evidence processing may take place as related to your complaint.

The Investigation

After the interview, the Police Department will investigate your complaint. Investigators will be supervisors of the employee or an investigator from the Professional Standards Unit.

All involved employees will be interviewed and witnesses whom you've named will be contacted. You may also be asked for more information.

Although it is impossible to estimate how long the investigation will take, a normal investigation should take no more than 30 days to complete. If you have any questions you may contact the Professional Standards Unit at (916) 617-4934.

The Review

Upon completion, the investigation will be reviewed by those within the employee's chain of command. The employee's commander shall render an appropriate disposition.

The Disposition

The results of the completed investigation will be classified into one of the six categories below:

1. Sustained - The investigation disclosed sufficient evidence to substantiate that the department member committed all or part of the alleged acts of misconduct.
2. Not Sustained - The investigation produced insufficient information to clearly prove or disprove the allegations.
3. Unfounded - The investigation determined the alleged act did not occur.
4. Exonerated - The investigation revealed the alleged act occurred, but was legal, proper and in full compliance with Departmental regulations.
5. Not Involved - The investigation determined that the accused officer(s) were not involved in the alleged act.
6. Suspended - The investigation cannot be completed due to the inability to contact the complainant(s), essential witnesses, or the complainant(s) is non-cooperative.

After a thorough investigation of the complaint, an investigator from the Chief's Office will promptly notify you in writing of the disposition and whether disciplinary action will be taken.

Your Rights After the Disposition

The Police Department will not condone, and will take severe disciplinary action against, those employees who cause harassment, tacit or otherwise, of complainants, witnesses or any other person connected to any internal investigation.
Notify the Office of Administration immediately if you suspect violation of any of the above.
You may ask about the status of your complaint at any time by calling the Professional Standards Unit at (916) 617-4934.

Responsibility - Ours and Yours

The West Sacramento Police Department views all citizen complaints against its employees very seriously and actively pursues investigations into misconduct. For this reason, you must ensure that your complaint is based on fact and you have provided us with all of these facts to the best of your ability. If you intentionally make a false report to this department, you should know that making the false report could result in criminal and/or civil legal proceedings being filed against you.

Our Commitment to You...

Employees of the West Sacramento Police Department shall at all times strive to be courteous and professional in their dealings with citizens. It is the hope of the West Sacramento Police Department that all of your contacts with our officers are positive. If not, we will endeavor to resolve the complaint to your satisfaction in a prompt and objective way.

Our Goal

The mission of the West Sacramento Police Department is to provide the community with a professional public service organization that effectively and uniformly enforces federal, state and local laws, provides citizens assistance and proactive programs.

Our officers are sworn to protect the rights of all citizens regardless of race, age, gender, nationality, religion or political preference. If you feel that an employee of this department has acted in an abusive or unprofessional manner, you are encouraged to report that employee to a police supervisor.

The West Sacramento Police Department is committed to maintaining a positive relationship with the community and to correcting any possible adverse actions, practices and attitudes that may contribute to community tensions and grievances.