The Complaint Process
An investigation will be conducted in all citizen complaints involving employees of the NOPD. Upon receiving your complaint, the Public Integrity Bureau will review, classify, and process the complaint. An investigator may contact you and obtain a tape recorded statement of your complaint. The investigator will ask you to provide as much detailed information as possible regarding the incident. If you were involved in, or witnessed the incident, this information will be extremely important to the investigation.
The investigator will contact all available witnesses, including police officers, examine all relavent evidence, and gather all information pertinent to each allegation. If for any reason there is a lengthy delay in the investigation you will be notified as to when you can expect to receive the results. After all allegations have been fully investigated, the Superintendent of Police will determine what action, if any, should be taken to resolve the complaint.
UNFOUNDED: The allegation is false or not factual.
EXONERATED: The incident occurred but the accused employee's actions were lawful and proper.
NOT SUSTAINED: There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegations.
SUSTAINED: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence.
OTHER SUSTAINED MISCONDUCT: Supported allegations not included in the original complaint.
In all cases you will be notified in writing of the findings of the investigation. When a finding of "SUSTAINED" is determined the Superintendent of Police will determine what sanctions are appropriate. These sanctions range from oral or written reprimand, suspension, fine, or demotion, to dismissal from the Department.
If your complaint contains allegations of criminal wrongdoing, a criminal investigation, in addition to the administrative investigation, may be conducted. If the Criminal Investigation supports the allegations of criminal activity, the Office of the District Attorney will be consulted regarding the filing of criminal charges and the arrest of the offending employee.
IT IS THE DESIRE OF THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS WITH A DEDICATED, PROFESSIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. YOUR SUPPORT IN OBTAINING THIS OBJECTIVE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
[Citizen Complaint Procedure] [Complaint Process] [Complaint/Commendation Form]