Policy Text
PROFESSIONAL COMPLIANCE BUREAU
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/01/05 STANDARD NO. 073 REVISED: 01/29/18
REPLACES: 02/19/16
OBJECTIVE: To establish criteria for the review and investigation of all complaints from the
citizens and employees of the Homestead Police Department (HPD).
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) that all complaints
against the agency, its employees, including anonymous complaints, will be
reviewed and/or investigated.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. GENERAL:
A. The Professional Compliance Bureau (PCB) through Internal Affairs has as its major
function the receiving, processing, supervising, and controlling the investigation of
complaints made against members of the Department. The Bureau also conducts other
investigations as required by the Chief of Police. Bureau investigators will remain
cognizant that they are representatives of the Chief of Police in all matters that are within
the purview of PCB.
B. The Professional Compliance Bureau will ensure that any allegation of misconduct made
against a member of the Department is thoroughly and objectively investigated. In order
to maintain objectivity, PCB will not make recommendations or render opinions
regarding the disposition of any investigation conducted. The Bureau will maintain the
confidentiality of all investigations and associated records under the provisions of
applicable state and county laws, departmental rules and regulations, policies and
procedures, and union contract agreements.
II. POLICY, AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY:
A. Under the American democratic system, the rights and freedoms guaranteed each
citizen assure a unique interplay of ideas and behaviors. Differences and conflict are
inevitable, and our system of government and laws are designed to accommodate and
deal with such conflict. American police officers function within this environment as the
most visible and available representatives of both the government and the law. Their
duty is to represent the public interest, and they carry with them the public trust.
B. One (1) primary goal of the Department is to attract and hold the confidence of the
public. If confidence is lacking or lost, the police service loses its most important asset –
the willingness of the public to respect, support and uphold the law. Lacking public
support, the police could not carry out the duties which they are sworn to perform.
C. It is necessary for the Department to regulate and review its activities, and those of its
individual employees. The police service should set standards for its employees. Given
Professional Compliance Bureau – SOP# 073
the sensitive and volatile nature of the police function, and the legal, administrative and
professional standards which govern that function, continuous scrutiny, analysis, and
evaluation is desirable. Questions, inquiries, and allegations are regularly received.
D. It is the policy of HPD that complaints against employees, or the Department itself
deserve the careful consideration of management. Beyond being simply a traditional
disciplinary method for employee misconduct, the complaint procedure is also regarded
as an administrative procedural step – a management device to draw administrative
attention to problem areas deserving investigation, not so much for the purpose of
considering punishment as for the purpose of improving training, reorienting supervision,
reevaluating policies, and similar administrative actions. This policy is based on the
principle that discipline is a function of command, and that a well-disciplined Department
consists of employees who willingly conform to all general orders.
E. The integrity and successful operation of the Department depends, in part, on the
manner in which complaints of misconduct by its employees are received, recorded,
objectively investigated and concluded, and whether corrective disciplinary action
results, if necessary.
F. To assure the integrity of the Department, and in compliance with the laws, rules, and
standards of the State of Florida, this order has been adopted for handling complaints
against the Department, and employees. These procedures are intended to assure the
prompt and thorough investigation of incidents to clear the innocent, establish guilt, and
facilitate appropriate administrative action in the interest of the public, the Department,
and the individual employee.