Compliment or Complaint

As a means of maintaining both police performance and police-community relations, the department encourages recommendations for improvements in our policing efforts.  We welcome the commendations of police personnel who perform their duties admirably.  We encourage questions, comments or complaints from members of the community about the department's performance or about the actions of its employees.

How can you compliment an employee's actions or service?
If you feel you have received outstanding service or wish to compliment an employee's actions, you can call the department at (253) 835-6700 and ask to speak with the employee's supervisor or you can mail a note or letter to the officer's attention (P.O. Box 9718, Federal Way, Washington 98063).  Compliments and letters of appreciation are kept in the employee's bureau file until their yearly evaluation.

Who can file a complaint?
Any person, regardless of age, sex, or nationality who witnesses or has knowledge of police misconduct, may file a complaint with the Federal Way Police Department.  The person need not have been personally involved in order to do so.

Who investigates the complaint?
Department supervisors are charged with the maintenance of discipline and with overseeing the conduct of employees assigned to them.  In most cases, the supervisor of the employee will conduct the investigation and report the incident through the chain of command for disposition.  In more serious incidents, the investigation may be conducted by the department's Office of Professional Standards or another local law enforcement agency.

What will be the outcome?
The investigating supervisor or a representative from the Office of Professional Standards will interview all witnesses and parties involved.  The outcome will be categorized into one of the following:

SUSTAINED - The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence to justify a reasonable conclusion of guilt.
NOT SUSTAINED - There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
EXONERATED - The incident occurred, but was lawful and proper.
UNFOUNDED - The allegation is false.

What discipline could occur?
If a complaint is sustained, disciplinary action is taken which will consist of one or more of several progressive measures:

Corrective Discipline
COUNSELING - Corrective coaching to ensure the employee understands proper procedure.
TRAINING -  Corrective training to ensure the employee undertands proper procedure.
VERBAL WARNING - A formal oral review by the supervisor to ensure the behavior does not reoccur.

Consequential Discipline
WRITTEN REPRIMAND - A formal written disciplinary report is placed in the employee's file.
SUSPENSION - The employee is suspended from duty without pay.
DEMOTION - The employee is reduced in rank.
TERMINATION - The employee is dismissed from employment with the City. 

What will you be told?
City, state and federal personnel laws govern an employee's privacy rights concerning disciplinary actions.  You will be advised of the supervisor's findings and whether disciplinary action will be taken.

What are your obligations?
The Federal Way Police Department views all citizen complaints against employees very seriously and actively pursues investigations into misconduct.  For this reason, you must ensure that your complaint is based in fact.  False reporting in an effort to unjustly subject an employee to undeserved discipline, slander, or to place the employee in jeopardy can result in criminal charges, civil lawsuits, or both.