Complaints & Commendations

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Note: If you have concerns or need to file a complaint against the police department or any of our employees, but do not wish to contact the department directly, you may contact the City of Redding Mayor’s Office at 225-4055, or the City Manager at 225-5095.  Concerns and complaints can also be made to the Shasta County Grand Jury at 225-5098.

 

If you have a complaint:

A positive relationship between the police and the public they serve, fostered by confidence and trust, is essential to effective law enforcement. While the police are charged with vigorous enforcement of the law, they must meticulously observe the rights of all people. Police personnel, at the same time, must be free to take action in a reasonable, lawful, and impartial manner without fear of reprisal.

Your concerns and criticisms help us protect the community from possible misconduct by employees. At the same time, a thorough and impartial investigation procedure helps protect employees from unwarranted charges when they perform their duties properly.

Per California Penal Code Section 832.5 (a): "Each department or agency in this State which employs peace officers shall establish a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints against the personnel of such departments or agencies, and shall make a written description of the procedure available to the public."

Penal Code Section 148.6 (b) states that any law enforcement agency accepting a concern of misconduct against a peace officer shall require the complainant to read and sign the following information advisory:

You have the right to make a complaint against a police officer for any improper police conduct. California law requires this agency to have a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints. You have a right to a written description of this procedure. This agency may find after investigation that there is not enough evidence to warrant action on your complaint; even if that is the case, you have the right to make the complaint and have it investigated if you believe an officer behaved improperly. Citizen complaints must be retained by this agency for at least five years. It is against the law to make a complaint that you know to be false. If you make a complaint against an officer knowing that it is false, you can be prosecuted on a misdemeanor charge.

Each allegation is examined on its own merits. Formal investigations require investigators to contact all available witnesses, including police officers, examine any relevant physical evidence and gather all information pertinent to each allegation made in the complaint. The Chief of Police will render a finding in each case. There are four possible findings:

• Sustained - The investigation disclosed enough evidence to clearly prove the allegation.
• Not Sustained - The investigation failed to reveal enough evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegation.
• Exonerated - The act which provided the basis for the complaint did occur; however, investigation revealed the act was justified, lawful and proper.
• Unfounded - The investigation has produced sufficient evidence to prove that the act or acts alleged did not occur. This finding shall also apply when individual personnel named in the complaint were not involved in an act that did occur.
• Not Involved - The investigation established that the named employee was not involved in the alleged incident.

You will be notified of the finding in writing at the conclusion. If a finding of Sustained is determined, corrective action will be taken. Discipline may include counseling, training, and action up to and including termination. If your complaint is sustained and punitive discipline is imposed, the employee has appeal rights. Therefore, you may be required to testify at one or more administrative proceedings.

To submit a complaint, you can complete an application and return it (in person, by mail or by fax) to the Redding Police Department.

You may also email your complaint regarding any behavior on the part of any employee of the Redding Police Department that you feel was improper. Send an email to feedback@reddingpolice.org. Please include the following information, as applicable:

1. Your Name, Address (home and business) and Phone Numbers where we can call you.
2. Your Date of Birth, Age, Sex and Race.
3. Date and Time of the event that you are filing a complaint about.
4. Name and Badge Number of the Police Department employee(s) involved
5. Vehicle Number of the Police Vehicle involved
6. Description of the event; please provide as much factual detail as possible.
7. The Names, Addresses and Phone Numbers of any witnesses to what happened.

If you would like to make a commendation (compliment, thank you, etc.):

Commendations may be made when you feel that an employee of the Redding Police Department have done their job in a manner which you appreciate. Commendations advise the employee of your gratitude and will be permanently recorded in the employee's personnel file for a job well done. Depending on the situation and the circumstances, this could prompt special recognition for the employee by the Department or other community agencies.

You may also email your commendation for any employee of the Redding Police Department where you feel that he/she did an exemplary job. Send an email to feedback@reddingpolice.org. Please include the following information, as applicable:

1. Your Name, Address (home and business) and Phone Numbers where we can call you.
2. Date and Time of the event that you are filing a commendation about.
3. Name and Badge Number of the Police Department employee(s) involved
4. Vehicle Number of the Police Vehicle involved
5. Description of the event; why you were satisfied with your interaction with Department personnel.