The Chief of Police makes a final decision as to the disposition of the complaint. If the complaint involves discipline of the employee, the exact nature of that disciplinary action, by law, is confidential. Complaints or concerns about police conduct or services which involved violations of the law by the employee are reviewed by both the Police Department and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office. Monthly, the Chief of Police reports all citizen complaints to the city manager who furnishes the city council information on the number of complaints received and their dispositions. The police department also complies with the Department of Justice citizen complaint reporting procedures.
Citizens sometimes have questions or complaints about the police department.
These normally involve questions about service delivery, policy, procedure, or our employees' conduct or actions. Yes, a police department cannot function effectively without the support of the community. That support is based on a foundation of mutual respect and trust. Without your input into the kind of police service we provide, we cannot function effectively or maintain the high standard you expect from your police department. The Chief of Police will assign a police supervisor to investigate your complaint.