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Police Resource Guide

MISSION STATEMENT

More than ever, the City of Herculaneum needs responsible men and women who can meet the challenges of a growing community with confidence and nurture all its people with compassion. The members of the Herculaneum Police Department must include those who think critically and resolve to stand for what is right and just. Our members shall remain committed to attaining the highest of professional standards, remain loyal to their Oath of Office, strive for individual and team achievement, enforce the laws fairly, equally and impartially, and pursue quality of life in every neighborhood. Dedication is a way of life for our Police Officers, always serving to protect and protecting to serve the community, understanding value of life, and living by those principles instilled through experience and education.

Commending Exceptional Performance

The best way to commend the actions of a police employee is to write a brief letter (or e-mail) describing the incident and the actions you think were exceptional. Information such as the date, time and location will help identify the employee if you do not know his or her name. If you choose not to write, you may ask to speak with the employee’s supervisor and make a verbal commendation. Commendations received by the Chief of Police are forwarded to the employee and his or her supervisor, and a copy is placed in their personnel file. Although our employees do not expect to be thanked for everything they do, recognition of exceptional service is always appreciated.

Making an Inquiry or a Complaint

An inquiry or complaint may be made at any time. Additionally, complaints should be made within a reasonable time after the alleged misconduct occurred to help ensure evidence is still available and recollections of the incident fresh. To register a complaint, contact a supervisor at 636-479-4791. You will subsequently be contacted by the employee’s supervisor within a timely fashion. The Complaint Review Procedure is NOT intended to resolve issues surrounding traffic citations or arrests for which criminal charges have been issued; such matters are to be resolved through the court system.

Complaint Review Policy

To ensure the integrity of the Department and to maintain the confidence of the public, all complaints against the Department or its employees will be thoroughly investigated.

How Complaints Will Be Investigated

Minor Allegations - Allegations that a Department employee was overbearing or failed to perform his or her duty to the satisfaction of the citizen will normally be investigated by the employee’s supervisor. Serious Allegations - Allegations that a Department employee exercised unnecessary force, was derelict or neglectful of his or her duty, engaged in oppressive conduct or violated federal, state or local law will initiate a formal Internal Investigation.

Complaint Review Procedure

The Department will make every effort to investigate complaints of misconduct. Complaints submitted by persons unwilling to cooperate in an investigation will be investigated to the fullest extent possible. Complainants who cooperate in an investigation will be notified of the result of their investigation and are invited to periodically contact the Chief of Police to determine the status of their complaint. Witnesses named by the complainant will be interviewed regarding the incident and their statements recorded. The involved employee(s) will be interviewed, as well as any additional witnesses discovered, and their statements will be recorded. If a criminal law violation is alleged and there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation, a parallel criminal investigation will be conducted. All complaints will be investigated to the extent allowed by available information. It is intended that most investigations will be concluded within 90 days, but complex issues may require a longer time frame. Complainants will be notified, in writing, of the final results of the investigation. Complainants may appeal the final results by submitting a letter to the Chief of Police. The Department fully accepts its responsibility to investigate all legitimate, factual complaints against its employees. It cannot, however, preclude its employees from seeking redress through the civil courts for allegations which the citizen knows to be false, malicious or contrived. Department employees, like all citizens, have the right to legal recourse through the judicial system.

Final Complaint Classifications

At the conclusion of an internal investigation, the Chief of Police will recommend one of the following classifications: EXONERATED – The incident occurred, but the employee’s conduct was lawful and proper. UNFOUNDED – The allegation is false or the incident did not occur. NOT SUSTAINED – There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation. SUSTAINED – The evidence is sufficient to support the allegation. Employees against whom a complaint has been sustained are subject to internal discipline. Depending upon the seriousness of the misconduct, sanctions ranging from a written reprimand to termination of employment may be imposed.