Complaints/Commendations
POLICY:
The Brenham Police Department will vigorously pursue all complaints, whether received internally or externally. It is our intent to protect the employee,community and department by identifying and correcting inappropriate performance. The Texas Government Code (Section 614) requires that before a complaint can be considered by the agency head that it must be made writing, signed by the person making the complaint and a copy of the signed complaint given to the officer.
COMPLAINT PROCESS:
Many complaints can be satisfactorily explained by a visit to the shift supervisor at the Brenham Police Department. Meeting with the shift supervisor, a sergeant, is the first step in the overall process. The shift supervisor is available at all times, but complainants may wish to make an appointment to avoid having to wait. If the matter can not be resolved at the supervisor level, the shift supervisor will obtain written documentation from the complainant and any witnesses present, then forward those statements to the Internal Affairs officer. Citizens may wish to initiate their complaints with the Internal Affairs officer at the department. Complainants may telephone, mail or report in person to the Internal Affairs officer during normal business hours. They may contact the Internal Affairs Division at 979-337-7337.
The mailing address is
Brenham Police Department
Office of Internal Affairs
P.O. Box 682
Brenham, TX, 77834-0682
The complainant will be contacted by the assigned investigator. The complainant will be given a telephone number to call for any information needed or to answer any questions regarding the incident. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that the complainant will be sent a letter at the completion of the process. In cases of personal injury, complainants will be requested to sign a release for medical records. The Internal Affairs officer or the assigned investigator may find it necessary to conduct additional interviews with the complainant and witnesses. The Internal Affairs office will not make any recommendations about the disposition of the complaint. This will be done through the officer's chain of command. When the investigation is complete, the case will be reviewed by the Chief of Police. The employee's superiors will make a recommendation regarding the disposition of the incident, as well as any possible disciplinary action.
COMPLAINT DISPOSITIONS:
Unfounded: The allegation is false or not factual
Exonerated: The incident occurred but without the alleged misconduct
Not Sustained: There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation
Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence.
Depending on the disposition of the investigation, the chief of police has the duty to administer disciplinary action as provided by law, rules and regulations of the Brenham Police Department. Disciplinary actions range from verbal reprimand to dismissal.
TO COMMEND AN OFFICER:
The Brenham Police Department is very proud of the professionalism, efficiency and service-minded orientation of the officers. Should citizens wish to compliment or commend an officer for their actions, they should write a letter to the Chief of Police, briefly describing the incident and the officer's performance. The department and its individual officers sincerely appreciate the efforts taken by the citizens and visitors of Brenham in recognition of their performance. Any commendation letter written by a citizen or visitor in this regard will be forwarded to the officer personally, as well as the officer's commander. A copy will be placed in his or her personnel file.
Racial Profiling Prohibited
The Brenham Police Department has a policy, General Procedures 1.22 RACIAL PROFILING, concerning the prohibition of racial profiling as set out in state and federal laws concerning racial profiling and discriminatory practices in general. Discrimination in any form, including racial profiling, is strictly prohibited and the department will take immediate and appropriate action to investigate allegations of discrimination. This policy applies to all employees of the Brenham Police Department.
What is Racial Profiling?
Racial profiling is any law enforcement-initiated action based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or native origin, rather than on the individual's behavior or information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity. Examples of racial profiling include but are not limited to:
- Initiating a traffic stop on a particular vehicle because of the race, ethnicity, or national origin of the driver of the vehicle.
- Stopping or detaining the driver of a vehicle based on the deternination that a person of race, ethnicity or national origin is unlikely to own or possess that specific make or model or vehicle.
- Stopping or detaining an individual based on the determination that a person of that race, ethnicity or national origin does not beling in a specific part of town or a specific place.
Policy: The BPD complies with the Racial Profiling Provisions of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, articles 2.131. through 2.138 that prohibit racial profiling by police officers.
Racial Profiling Complaint Process
Persons who believe officers have used racial profiling against them my file complaints according to the guidelines set forth in the complaint process listed above.