1. All complaints against the department or its employees, including those received anonymously, will be courteously received and thoroughly investigated.
2. Upon receipt of a complaint and completion of the Citizen Complaint Report, the Chief of Police or his/her designee, shall initiate a preliminary investigation into the matter, to include requesting a written statement from the complainant using a Citizen Complaint Report. He/she shall also take any action that may be immediately required; e.g., take steps to prevent further misconduct from occurring.
3. During the preliminary investigation, the Chief of Police or his/her designee shall determine whether the complaint is based on procedure, minor misconduct, serious misconduct or criminal conduct and whether an internal investigation and/or criminal investigation would be appropriate.
4. Procedural and minor misconduct complaints will generally be handled through the Chief of Police or his/her designee. If there is a need for having such a matter handled by someone outside the department, the Chief of Police may request the assistance from another department.
5. Upon completion of the investigation, a copy of the Citizen Complaint Report containing the final disposition will be included in the internal affairs files.
6. Serious misconduct complaints shall require notification of the Chief of Police as soon as such notification is practical. The Chief of Police or designee will investigate the complaint as soon as practical.
7. The Chief of Police shall also consider whether the alleged misconduct should result in a criminal investigation. In the event a criminal investigation is deemed appropriate, the related internal investigation shall be done by administration, or the assistance of an outside agency may be used.
8. The Chief of Police shall ensure that liaison is maintained with the district attorney's office in investigations involving alleged criminal conduct on the part of an employee.
9. When the employee is notified that he/she is the subject of a misconduct complaint that could result in discipline, he/she shall be provided a written statement of the allegations and his/her rights and responsibilities relative to the investigation as outlined in the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights Wisconsin Statute 164.02.
10. Regardless of who conducts the investigation, prior to interviewing the employee(s) identified in the complaint, consideration shall be given to the likelihood that criminal charges or department disciplinary action are possible outcomes of the investigation. This will enable the investigator to ensure that the involved employee is extended all rights he/she is entitled to.
11. Absent exceptional circumstances, e.g., the investigation of ongoing acts of misconduct, internal investigations shall be completed as soon as reasonably possible.
12. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Chief of Police shall ensure the complainant and employee is advised in writing of the final outcome of the internal investigation. For lengthy investigations, an effort shall be made to communicate the status of the investigation to the complainant on a periodic basis.