Policy Text
Policy
1010Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/06, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentPersonnel Complaints - 1Personnel Complaints
1010.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the reporting, investigation and disposition of complaints
regarding the conduct of members of the Garden Grove Police Department. This policy shall not
apply to any questioning, counseling, instruction, informal verbal admonishment or other routine
or unplanned contact of a member in the normal course of duty, by a supervisor or any other
member, nor shall this policy apply to a criminal investigation.
1010.2 POLICY
The Garden Grove Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service
provided by the Department and the conduct of its members.
The Department will accept and address all complaints of misconduct in accordance with this
policy and applicable federal, state and local law, municipal and county rules and the requirements
of any collective bargaining agreements.
It is also the policy of this department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without
concern for reprisal or retaliation.
1010.3 PERSONNEL COMPLAINTS
Personnel complaints include any allegation of misconduct or improper job performance that, if
true, would constitute a violation of department policy or of federal, state or local law, policy or
rule. Personnel complaints may be generated internally or by the public.
Inquiries about conduct or performance that, if true, would not violate department policy or federal,
state or local law, policy or rule may be handled informally by a supervisor and shall not be
considered a personnel complaint. Such inquiries generally include clarification regarding policy,
procedures or the response to specific incidents by the Department.
1010.3.1 SOURCES OF COMPLAINTS
The following applies to the source of complaints:
(a)Individuals from the public may make complaints in any form, including in writing, by
email, in person or by telephone.
(b)Any department member becoming aware of alleged misconduct shall immediately
notify a supervisor.
(c)Supervisors shall initiate a complaint based upon observed misconduct or receipt from
any source alleging misconduct that, if true, could result in disciplinary action.
(d)Anonymous and third-party complaints should be accepted and investigated to the
extent that sufficient information is provided.
(e)Tort claims and lawsuits may generate a personnel complaint.
1010.4 AVAILABILITY AND ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLAINTS
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Personnel Complaints
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/06, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentPersonnel Complaints - 21010.4.1 COMPLAINT FORMS
Personnel complaint forms will be maintained in a clearly visible location in the public area of
the police facility and be accessible through the department website. Forms may also be available
at other City facilities.
Personnel complaint forms in languages other than English may also be provided, as determined
necessary or practicable.
1010.4.2 ACCEPTANCE
All complaints will be courteously accepted by any department member and promptly given to the
appropriate supervisor. Although written complaints are preferred, a complaint may also be filed
verbally, either in person or by telephone. Such complaints will be directed to a supervisor. If a
supervisor is not immediately available to take a verbal complaint, the receiving member shall
obtain contact information sufficient for the supervisor to contact the complainant. The supervisor,
upon contact with the complainant, shall complete and submit a complaint form as appropriate.
Although not required, complainants should be encouraged to file complaints in person so
that proper identification, signatures, photographs, or physical evidence may be obtained as
necessary.
A complainant shall be provided with a copy of the complaining party's statement at the time it is
filed with the Department (Penal Code § 832.7).
A citizen must not be told to call back or contact a specific supervisor under any circumstances.
When a complaint is received in person, the department member receiving the complaint must
complete Citizen Complaint Form (GGPD Form 322a) and give the complaining party the yellow
copy of the form. The Narrative Description of Events section should be filled out in detail to include
all relevant information.
When a complaint is received by telephone, the member receiving the complaint must complete
the Citizen Complaint Form and indicate on the form that the complaint was received on the phone.
The yellow copy of the complaint is mailed or delivered to the complaining party.
The person receiving the verbal complaint must decide whether to handle it informally, i.e.,
verbally, or reduce the complaint to writing.
The person receiving the verbal complaint must not handle informally those complaints of a serious
nature and/or those complaints which are not resolved to the COMPLETE satisfaction of the
complainant. When in doubt, the person receiving the complaint shall fill out a citizens complaint
form and forward the original IMMEDIATELY to Internal Affairs.
When a complaint is received on policy or procedure, the complainant does not receive a copy of
the Citizen Complaint Form. A notation must be made on the form stating that department policy
or procedures have been explained to the complaining party.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Personnel Complaints
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/06, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentPersonnel Complaints - 3Internal Affairs is the central controlling point for logging, assigning, investigating and filing of
citizens complaints. All written complaints shall be forwarded IMMEDIATELY to the Internal Affairs
Unit.
A Citizen Complaint Form must be completed on any alleged complaint of