Compliments/Complaints
Procedures for Reporting Compliments or Complaints on Fairborn Police Department Employees
The Fairborn Police Department is committed to providing quality service to all individuals in the City of Fairborn. Our work impacts the quality of life in our community. To show our promise to fairness, all employees are sworn to uphold the Department’s police code of ethics, rules, policies, directives, and orders as well as all city, state, and federal laws that relate to their employment.
Compliments
- To report a compliment of the actions of Fairborn Police Department personnel, you can notify us by the following methods:
- Telephone: Call (937) 754-3000, 24 hours a day. You can speak to a supervisor who will notate the information related to the employee compliment.
- In Person: You can file your compliment in person at 70 W. Hebble Avenue, 24 hours a day. You can speak directly with the shift supervisor regarding the compliment.
- Mail/Fax/Email: You can send a written compliment by mail, fax, or email to the address below. It is important to include any details that you may have so that we can associate the compliment with the appropriate employee(s).
Fairborn Police Department
70 W. Hebble Avenue
Fairborn, Oh 45324
Fax: (937) 754-3004
Email: fairbornpolice@fairbornoh.gov
Complaints
The citizen complaint system is designed to provide people with a way to express their concerns about police service. This system provides a fair, factual, and objective review of an individual’s concern.
Reason of Complaint - First, you will need to be able to articulate what you think the employee did wrong. For example, do you believe:
- An officer used too much force during an arrest?
- An employee was rude to you?
- An officer violated your rights?
- You are a victim of racial profiling?
All complaints should be filed within 60 days of the incident unless there are special circumstances. Complaints filed immediately improve the investigator’s chance of gathering factual information.
NOTE: Complaints about the underlying reason for a traffic citation or criminal arrest must be resolved by the court and cannot be investigated as a complaint against a police employee.
False Complaints – The Fairborn Police Department is committed to investigating concerns of employee misconduct. Officers can be targets of false complaints by people who seek revenge on them for doing their job. The Ohio Revised Code makes it a misdemeanor of the first degree to knowingly file a false complaint of misconduct against a peace officer. The Department feels that people need to know the law exists and that when appropriate, the charge will be filed against violators of this law. Please remember, it is not only expensive to investigate false complaints, but can also affect an officer’s career. This information is given not to keep people from filing complaints but to inform them of the law.
To file a complaint, contact the Fairborn Police Department by one of the following methods:
- Telephone: Call (937)754-3000, 24 hours a day. You can speak to a supervisor who will review your complaint. If your complaint needs an immediate response to collect evidence or witness statements, the supervisor will be sent to the incident location.
- In Person: You can file your complaint in person at 70 W. Hebble Avenue, 24 hours a day. You can speak directly with the shift supervisor.
- Mail/Fax/Email: You can send a written complaint by mail, fax, or email to the address below. It is important to include your name, address, and phone number so we can contact you about your complaint.
Fairborn Police Department
70 W. Hebble Avenue
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Fax: (937) 754-3004
Email: fairbornpolice@fairbornoh.gov
Upon reviewing your complaint, the supervisor may be able to explain the employee’s actions to your satisfaction or refer you to a supervisor who can. If this is the case, the matter will be closed. If your complaint needs to be investigated, it will be given to an investigator who will contact you within 72 hours. If you have not been contacted within 72 hours, please call (937)754-3067 to make sure the investigator has your correct contact information.
Investigation of Your Complaint
The investigator will conduct a detailed investigation of the incident and gather statements from you and witnesses. Your assistance is expected and additional information may be needed. When the investigation is complete, the investigator will give a written report to the involved employee’s chain of command. Their recommendations will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and he will decide the appropriate outcome.
Outcome of Your Complaint
You will receive a letter by mail stating the outcome of your complaint. Please be aware that a detailed investigation and review of the facts can take time. You may not be notified about the final outcome for several weeks. If the complaint requires an extensive investigation, it may take even longer. The investigator will keep you informed of the status and advise you of any unusual delays. Most investigations are completed within 60 days after filing the complaint. Based upon the findings of the investigation, a policy or procedure may be reviewed or changed, or an employee disciplined. The Fairborn Police Department will notify you of any action taken, although not the specific nature of disciplinary action. The Internal Affairs Office has available a yearly summary of all citizen complaints and internal administrative investigations.
Outcome Findings
Your investigation will result in one of the following findings:
Sustained – The accusation is supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Depending on the severity of the action, a sustained finding may result in disciplinary action.
Not Sustained – There is not enough evidence to either prove or disprove the accusation.
Unfounded – The alleged conduct is refuted by a preponderance of the evidence.
Exonerated – The accusation is true, but the action taken by the employee was legal and
appropriate for the situation.
Withdrawn – The complainant retracted the allegation(s) through either a verbal or written statement.