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Policy 1010Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentAdministrative Investigation and Personnel Complaints - 1Administrative Investigation and Personnel Complaints 1010.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidelines for the reporting, investigation, and disposition of complaints regarding the conduct of employees of the Santa Ana Police Department and administrative investigations in connection with an allegation of misconduct. This policy shall not apply to any questioning, counseling, instruction, informal verbal admonishment or other routine or unplanned contact of an SAPD employee in the normal course of duty, by a supervisor or any other SAPD employee, nor shall this policy apply to a criminal investigation. 1010.2 POLICY The Santa Ana Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service provided by the Department and the conduct of its employees. The Department will accept and address all complaints of misconduct in accordance with this policy, 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 the community is provided with information and resources to report misconduct without concern for reprisal or retaliation. The Department will timely complete all administrative investigations from the receipt of the complaint or recommendation to initiate an investigation. Inspectors will make every effort to complete assigned administrative investigations within 120 days. The Chief of Police or his/ her designee may grant exceptions in cases involving multiple employees, criminal charges or otherwise extraordinary in nature. The Department shall comply in all cases with the time limits and exceptions defined in Government Code section 3304, subsections (c) through (g). The Internal Affairs Unit Commander shall monitor all internal investigations to ensure compliance with this policy and the Government Code. The Santa Ana Police Department recognizes the importance of stable employer/employee relations, as well as the need to respect the rights provided to peace officers by the Public Safety Officers' Procedural Bill of Rights. Therefore, the Department's internal investigative procedures shall conform to Government Code Sections 3300-3313 in their entirety. These investigative procedures shall apply to all full-time, regular employees, without regard for sworn status. 1010.3 PERSONNEL COMPLAINTS Personnel complaints include any allegation of misconduct or improper job performance, if true, would constitute a violation of department policy or of federal, state or local law, City or Department policy or rule. Personnel complaints may be generated internally or by members of the public. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Administrative Investigation and Personnel Complaints Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentAdministrative Investigation and Personnel Complaints - 2Inquiries about conduct or performance, 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 employees of the Santa Ana Police 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 employee who becomes 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, if true, could result in disciplinary action. (d)Anonymous and third-party complaints should be accepted and investigated to the extent sufficient information is provided. (e)Tort claims and lawsuits may generate a personnel complaint. 1010.4 AVAILABILITY AND ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLAINTS 1010.4.1 COMPLAINT FORMS Personnel complaint forms will be maintained in a 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 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 orally, either in person, e-mail or by telephone. Such complaints will be directed to a supervisor. If a supervisor is not immediately available to take an oral 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). Assignment of cases to Internal Affairs shall be at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police. Complaints alleging misconduct originating within the Department may, with the approval of the Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Administrative Investigation and Personnel Complaints Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentAdministrative Investigation and Personnel Complaints - 3Bureau Commander, be handled at the Division level