The Complaint Process
When a community member files a complaint with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, those complaints are investigated by the Office of Professional Standards. This investigation includes interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence as required by the complaint. The Office of Professional Standards may assign a command officer to investigate the complaint or be assisted by Criminal Investigations Division if necessary.
When the investigation is complete, the complainant will be notified of the outcome, which will be one of the following:
Unfounded: It was proven conclusively that the acts in the complaint did not occur.
Exonerated: It was determined that the actions in the complaint did occur but were justified or proper.
Sustained: There was sufficient evidence to prove the allegations of the complaint.
Misconduct not based on complaint: The investigation uncovered improper job performance that was not related to the allegations in the complaint.
Exceptionally cleared: The complainant did not cooperate with the investigation or did not provide enough information from which to conduct the investigation.
After the investigation has concluded, the complainant will receive a follow up evaluation form. They will also be advised of their right to seek an appeal of the findings with CPSRAB with a self-address, stamped envelope to initiate the process.
Filing an Appeal
The complainant may appeal the results of the investigation conducted by the Office of Professional Standards and the Chief’s decision. This appeal is made to the City Manager’s Office, and heard by the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board. This appeal must be filed within 15 business days of receipt of the Chief’s decision. Appeals may be filed online, in person, by mail, facsimile, by telephone or email.
CPSRAB will hold a hearing to review each appeal. Hearings may be public or private at the request of the complainant. The hearing will focus on the decision made by the Chief at the conclusion of the Office of Professional Standards investigation. The hearing may include the review of evidence gathered throughout the complaint investigation. At the conclusion of the appeal hearing, CPSRAB will prepare a report setting forth its findings and conclusions and submit it to the City Manager. The report may recommend that the original results be sustained or that the Chief’s decision be reversed.
CPSRAB can only hear appeals if the original finding was unfounded, exonerated, misconduct not based on complaint, or not sustained. Sustained complaints may not be appealed.