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| Guidance on how citizens can submit complaints and compliments regarding officers of the El Paso County Constable Department Precinct One |
| The Importance of Citizen Feedback Constable Robert White recognizes that all officers of the Precinct One Constable Department are fully responsible for their conduct while on duty. It also is acknowledged that, on occasion, conflicts can occur between a member of the public and an officer can arise. At the same time, contacts with citizens can provide the officer an opportunity to make a positive impact on the public. Officers thus must continually apply professional training, judgment, and discretion in carrying out their duties in a reasonable, impartial, and lawful manner. |
| Citizen Feedback: Complaints The complaint process and any disciplinary procedures that might follow will subject an officer to corrective action when it is found that his/her actions are improper. Constable White assures that a citizen who files a complaint will be protected from retaliation. All complaints are taken seriously and will undergo an internal investigation. In many cases, a telephone call by a citizen to Constable White will informally resolve a conflict or misunderstanding. However, a citizen has the right to file a formal complaint. |
Formal Complaint:
A citizen who wishes to make a formal complaint must do so in writing and mail or deliver it to the Constable Department.
The complaint must include the following:
-- Name, address, and telephone number(s) of the complainant and all other witnesses to the incident.
-- Detailed description of the incident (to include the date, time, location, and specific actions taken by the officer.
-- A signed statement by the complainant that all information provided in the complaint is accurate, complete, and truthful.
A citizen who wishes to make a formal complaint must do so in writing and mail or deliver it to the Constable Department.
The complaint must include the following:
-- Name, address, and telephone number(s) of the complainant and all other witnesses to the incident.
-- Detailed description of the incident (to include the date, time, location, and specific actions taken by the officer.
-- A signed statement by the complainant that all information provided in the complaint is accurate, complete, and truthful.
Internal Review:
A thorough internal review will be carried out by the Constable or Chief Deputy Constable, who is trained and certified in
carrying out internal investigations. The complainant, witnesses, and officer(s) named in the complaint will be contacted
and interviewed by the investigating officer.
A thorough internal review will be carried out by the Constable or Chief Deputy Constable, who is trained and certified in
carrying out internal investigations. The complainant, witnesses, and officer(s) named in the complaint will be contacted
and interviewed by the investigating officer.
Disposition:
Upon completion of an internal review, the investigating officer will compose an impartial report containing findings and
recommendations. An allegation that is supported by evidence obtained in the investigation will subject the officer to
additional corrective training, counseling, a written reprimand, suspension, or termination.
Upon completion of an internal review, the investigating officer will compose an impartial report containing findings and
recommendations. An allegation that is supported by evidence obtained in the investigation will subject the officer to
additional corrective training, counseling, a written reprimand, suspension, or termination.
Confidentiality:
An officer who is the subject of an internal review will not be granted access to the review records, including complainant
and witness interview notes. The primary exception to confidentiality is disclosure of records ordered by a court of law.
The officer will be prohibited from making deliberate contact with the complainant and witnesses(es) during the course of
the internal review.
An officer who is the subject of an internal review will not be granted access to the review records, including complainant
and witness interview notes. The primary exception to confidentiality is disclosure of records ordered by a court of law.
The officer will be prohibited from making deliberate contact with the complainant and witnesses(es) during the course of
the internal review.
Complainant charges:
A complainant with current criminal or traffic charge(s) pending with the county or state should be aware that the internal
review process deals solely with complaint against an officer of the Precinct One Constable Department. Regardless of the
outcome of the internal review, existing charge(s) against the complainant must proceed through the proper court. For
example, if an officer issues a traffic citation and the person who is issued the citation subsequently files a complaint about
the officer's conduct, the complainant must still be responsible for the citation (such as paying the fine or appearing in court
to contest the citation). The internal review process will not address such issues as the validity of a citation.
A complainant with current criminal or traffic charge(s) pending with the county or state should be aware that the internal
review process deals solely with complaint against an officer of the Precinct One Constable Department. Regardless of the
outcome of the internal review, existing charge(s) against the complainant must proceed through the proper court. For
example, if an officer issues a traffic citation and the person who is issued the citation subsequently files a complaint about
the officer's conduct, the complainant must still be responsible for the citation (such as paying the fine or appearing in court
to contest the citation). The internal review process will not address such issues as the validity of a citation.
| Citizen Feedback: Compliments Officers of the Precinct One Constable Department consistently carry out their responsibility of proteting and serving the public and community. While they often go beyond the call of duty, officers rarely receive formal compliments. If a citizen observes an officer who deserves to be recognized, the citizen is highly encouraged to call or write Constable White. Positive feedback raises morale and gives other officers an incentive to provide outstanding service to the public. |
| El Paso County Constable |
| Precinct One |
