Internal Affairs Complaint Investigations - News Release

NEWS RELEASE

City of Takoma Park Police Department

● 7500 Maple Avenue ● Takoma Park, Md 20912

For more information contact:

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901

February 15, 2013 (2:20 p.m.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS

Chief Goldberg of the Takoma Park Police Department announces that, in keeping with the Police Department’s policy directives that require investigations of all complaints against the department or its employees, and that annual statistical summaries of such investigations by the internal affairs function be made available to the public, the following is the Takoma Park Police Department’s Summary of Complaints for calendar year (CY) 2012.

Eleven formal complaints were recorded, with 10 subjected to internal affairs investigations. Eight complaints were submitted by citizens, and the other three were generated internally by employees, the Chief of Police or the Command Staff. There were no complaints referred anonymously. Subjects of the complaints included a total of 11 sworn officers, some of whom were involved in more than one complaint. One civilian employee was the subject of a complaint.

Two of the eleven formal complaint investigations remain in a pending status at years end (i.e., the disposition had not been made). Four were completed with determinations that the complaints were unfounded; two resulted in sustained findings of improper conduct and disciplinary measures warranted; two resulted in the finding of insufficient evidence to support the allegations, and one was referred to a supervisor for disciplinary action in lieu of an internal affairs investigation. The disciplinary measures taken included a recommendation for serious disciplinary action pending a hearing board, a demotion and two referrals for counseling sessions.

Residents are reminded that the process for making a complaint against a police employee is detailed on the City Police Web Page (which is currently under construction) and in flyers available to the public in the Police Department lobby.