Internal Affairs deals with personnel matters at the Police Department. These issues include training, commendations, and handling complaints and disciplinary issues.

There are many times that people would like to file a formal commendation for an Officer or employee of the Police Department for a job well done but are unsure about how to go about doing so. Commendations for Officers can be made by phone or in person or you can e-mail the Chief. For your convenience there is also a commendation form which may be mailed or dropped off available by clicking the following link. Thank you goes a long way in promoting the morale of your Police Officers and employees.

The Pittsburg Police Department is dedicated to providing the best police service possible to all of our Citizens. Your police employees are carefully selected and given the best training possible in order to provide this service. However, you may have an occasion to lodge a complaint about the actions of a member of the Pittsburg Police Department. In order to be responsive to you, we are providing the following information about how complaints are made, how they are investigated, and the final outcome of your complaint.

HOW ARE COMPLAINTS HANDLED?

When a citizen lodges a complaint against a member of the Pittsburg Police Department, the complaint goes to the Chiefs Office. Most complaints are given to the employee’s supervisor who is charged with conducting the initial investigation and then forwards these findings to the Chief of Police. Complaints of a serious nature are investigated by the Chief of Police and if there is an alleged criminal violation the complaint may be forwarded to the Texas Rangers or other appropriate law enforcement agency.

TEXAS STATE LAW requires that all complaints against police officers must be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. Just as citizens who are arrested must be notified of the charges against them, the police officer must be given a copy of the complaint before any disciplinary action may betaken. Complaints must be made by the person aggrieved. Other persons may give statements as witnesses.

Citizens wishing to file a complaint will be provided with a complaint form to complete.

Traffic citations issued or differences of opinions between police officers over the issuance of traffic citations for the guilt or innocence of persons arrested will not be investigated unless there are specific allegations of misconduct against officers.


 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A COMPLAINT IS FOUND TO BE TRUE?

When the investigation of a complaint reveals that the charges are true and should be sustained against a police employee, the Chief of Police notifies the employee and may take one of the following actions, depending on the nature of the violation.

· Verbal Reprimand
· Written Reprimand
· Time off without compensation
· Demotion
· Termination

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMPLAINT IS NOT TRUE?

Police employees must be afforded certain rights the same as with all citizens and complaints must be supported by sufficient evidence.

If there is not sufficient evidence to sustain the complaints, the officer is notified and continues on duty. If he/she was removed from duty during the investigation he/she will be paid for that time.

If it is shown that a person intentionally or knowingly filed a false complaint against an Officer or Employee, Criminal Charges of False Report may be filed just like they would for a person filing a false report against another citizen.

THE FOLLOWING ARE TEXAS STATUTES RELATED TO FILING OF COMPLAINTS

 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE:

Complaint Against Law Enforcement Officer or Firefighterc

. 614.022. Complaint to be in Writing and Signed by Complainant - To be considered by the head of a state agency or by the head of a fire or police department, the complaint must be:
(1) in writing, and
(2) signed by the person making the complaint.

Sec. 614.023. Copy of Complaint to be Given to Officer or Employee.
(a) A copy of a signed complaint against a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, or police office shall be given to the officer or employee within a reasonable time after the complaint is filed.
(b) Disciplinary action may not be taken against the officer or employee unless a copy of the signed complaint is given to the officer or employee.

Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch/263. Sec.1, eff. 9-1-93

TEXAS PENAL CODE:

Sec. 37.02 Perjury.
(a) A person commits an offense, if with intent to deceive and with knowledge of the statements meaning:
(1) he makes a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made and the statement is required or authorized by law to be made under oath; or
(2) he makes a false sworn declaration under Chapter 132, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

Sec. 37.03. Aggravated Perjury.
(a) A person commits an offense if he commits perjury as defined in Section 37.02. and the false statement:
(1) is made during or in connection with an official proceeding; and
(2) is material.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.

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Last modified: 11/28/07