How do I find out past complaints/disciplinary action on a police officer?

Question

I know many have complained of his past tactics+unjustified arrests+INACCURATE reports(i.e. blatant lies!). Also may have been terminated from previous position of same. Any info or tips on where to get this info wouild be GREATLY APPRECIATED. MANY THANKS...

I have already filed a complaint + personally set up & went to meetings w/ police chief & mayor. Plus-have police report & court transcript which clearly shows officer is changing his story(i.e. lying) Lawyer says : So what-the officer has bad recall! He says the courts don't care. I've already spent $3000.+ still owe more. When did officers become judge&jury? I have lost all faith in our judicial system.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, police personnel records come under the privacy act.

Unless you file a Pitcus (sp?) motion which is done if you are questioning an officer who has charge you with a crime (if granted, the employing agency has to turn over only records of sustained or other than unfounded complaint records)

You can hire a private investigator. A good one will know how to find out just about anything.

Good luck.

Addendum: The freedom of information act does not cover personnel records. I agree that sustained complaints should be public record. Try to find a legislator with enough balls to go against the public safety unions to pass such a law - good luck!

Additional note: Unless the complaint was ruled unfounded, it will become a permanent part of the police officers record. Should another complainant file a Pitcus Motion that moves the complaint from being a personnel issue to a public records issue before the courts. If the complaint is ruled unfounded, you have the right to appeal to the States Attorney General (in CA), who will again investigate the complaint separate of the IA department. If you are lucky enough to live in a city that has a Police Citizen's Review Board, you can appeal to them as well (they are usually much harsher than IA's)

Remember, Chiefs support their officers in nearly every case. This is due in part to loyalty (they usually know the officer personally), and if they admit their officer lied, the department can be sued. I always take what Chiefs say with a grain of salt - their opinions are typically meaningless in a court.

Is what you are doing really worth it? That is what you have to ask yourself. The police have nicely sheilded themselves from liablity due to legislative weaselilng.

Again, good luck!

Answer 2

Any disciplinary action should be in a public file. Make a request through the proper city officials to look at this file. The problem is, a lot of the complaints and disciplinary actions taken against officers are placed in closed files. Good luck.

Answer 3

First, file a formal complaint, dont just whine about it. Second, send the jurisdiction an Open Records/Freedom of Information Act request for records related to the officer and complaints previously file against him.

Answer 4

Good luck with that one.

Check my Avatar now that I'm a cop I can tell you the thin blue line protects it's own. Except in my case being a black is like being John Wilks Booth.

Ever since my Avatar went black I have had more hate mail than ever. I might have to go back to being a Taliban Mullah.

Answer 5

File an open records request with the city.

Answer 6

There is no way youll be able to get any of theat info even though it should be public knowledge. Cops are the most corrupt people on earth. Whatever they did theyll be able to get away with.

Answer 7

Do yourself a favor & just let it go! KARMA will even the score when the time is right.