Commend/Complain

Click Here for a guide on Commendations and Complaints

Click Here for the Commendation and Complaint form

Filing a false complaint against a police employee is a violation of the Texas Penal Code, Section 37.02. If a person knowingly and intentionally makes a false statement under oath, or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made under oath, a person may be found guilty and punished by a fine up to $4,000, confinement in jail up to one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.

When the investigation finds that the charges against a police employee are true, the employee’s Assistant Police Chief notifies the employee and may take one of the following actions:

1. Reprimand the employee verbally or in writing;
2. Suspend the employee without pay;
3. Demote the employee; or
4. Discharge the employee.

Employees can appeal the department’s decision to uphold a complaint and the decision to discipline the employee.

 

What happens when a complaint is not upheld?

Complaints must be supported by sufficient evidence. When the investigation cannot find the degree of evidence necessary to prove the employee acted improperly, the employee and the citizen are both notified in writing.

CCP Art. 2.132 Law Enforcement Policy on Racial Profiling requires the department to provide public education on the racial profiling complaint process. For the Hutchins Police Department, this process is the same as the department’s complaint process, as described on this web site.

The Hutchins Police Department is vitally interested in taking action when its employees are derelict in their duties or are guilty of wrongdoing. Your complaint will be given a fair and thorough investigation.

Hutchins Police Department
550 West Palestine Street
Hutchins, Texas 75141
%20fgarcia [at] cityofhutchins.org (By Email Here)