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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/15, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Personnel Complaints - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Personnel 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 incid ents by the Department. 1010.3.1 COMPLAINT CLASSIFICATIONS Personnel complaints shall be classified in one of the following categories: Informal - A matter in which the complaining party is satisfied that appropriate action has been taken by a Department supervisor of rank greater than the accused employee. Informal complaints need not be documented on a personnel complaint form and the responsible supervisor shall have the discretion to handle the complaint in any matter consistent with this policy. Formal - A matter in which the complaining party requests further investigation or a supervisor determines that further action is warranted. Such complaints may be investigated by a supervisor of rank greater than the accused member or referred to the Internal Affairs Unit, depending on the seriousness and complexity of the investigation. Miscellaneous - Generally, these type of complaints are egregiously false in nature. Nonetheless, these complaints are formally investigated by the Internal Affairs Unit and Policy 1010 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Personnel Complaints Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/15, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Personnel Complaints - 2 immediately proven to be incredulous. Documentation of such complaints and the subsequent results of the investigation may be placed in a miscellaneous file, rather than the member's Internal Affairs file (For further, see the Personnel Files policy). 1010 .3.2 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 misconduc t 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,lawsuits, and Risk Management claimsmay generate a personnel complaint. 1010.4 AVAILABILITY AND ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLAINTS 1010.4.1 COMPLAINT FORMS Personnel complaint forms will be maintained in a clearly visible location in the public area of the police facility and will also be accessible through the Department website. 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 or ally, either in person 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. The following should be considered before taking a complaint: (a) Complaints shall not be prepared unless the alleged misconduct