Complaints and Commendations

Employee Commendation and Complaint Process

The UC Davis Police Department welcomes positive comments about its service or personnel. A letter of appreciation for a job well done, fosters pride among our employees and boosts morale in a job where we tend to hear more about the bad things we are perceived to have done, instead of the good things not everyone sees us doing.

Procedure
If your commendation involves a Police Officer or other UC Davis Police Department employee, you will be asked to provide his/her name. If you do not have this information, explain what happened and when it occurred (i.e. date, time, and location of the incident). This information will assist us in identifying the employee so that they may be rewarded for their efforts.

There are three ways you can submit an Employee Commendation to the UC Davis Police Department, and for your convenience, an Employee Commendation form (PDF) is available.

In Person
At either the Campus or the UC Davis Police Department Health System (Medical Center) station in Sacramento.
By Telephone
Contact the Patrol Watch Commander at 530-752-1172 (Campus) or 916-734-8116 (Medical Center).
By Mail, FAX, or E-Mail
Send a letter, fax, or email, describing your positive experience, to the UC Davis Police Department
( Attention: Chief of Police - Email ).

Disposition
After verification, your commendation will be forwarded to the employee, and a copy will be placed in their personnel file.

Employee Complaint Process

The UC Davis Police Department welcomes valid complaints about its service or personnel. Your constructive comments provide an open channel of communication between the UC Davis Police Department and the campus community which enables us to maintain the highest possible standards. They also help us protect the campus community from possible misconduct, and to provide a basis for a thorough and impartial investigative procedure to protect those department employees who perform their duties properly. A cooperative relationship between the UC Davis Police Department and the community it serves, fostered by confidence and trust, is essential to successful law enforcement.

It is the policy of the UC Davis Police Department, and the law, to accept and thoroughly investigate all complaints concerning the conduct of its personnel or operations, and to make available to the public a written description of its complaint procedures in compliance with California Penal Code section 832.5(a).

Procedure
If your complaint involves an Police Officer or a UC Davis Police Department employee, you will be asked to provide his/her name, badge number, and car number as appropriate. If you do not have this information, explain what and when it occurred (i.e. date, time, and location of the incident). This information will assist the complaint-taker in identifying the employee.

Your complaint will be classified as a “Citizen’s Complaint” or a “Work File Memo.”

A Citizen’s Complaint is a formal allegation of employee misconduct within the meaning of California Penal Code section 832.5(a) which may result in a formal investigation. A Citizen’s Complaint may also be directed at established policy or operational procedures.

A Work File Memo is a form used to document minor concerns about employee conduct or departmental policies or operations, that have been brought to the attention of the Police Department, and were resolved “on the spot” to your satisfaction. At the time of your complaint, you may express your preference as to which procedure you want initiated.

There are three ways you can submit a Employee Complaint to the UCD Police Department, and for your convenience, an Employee Complaint form (PDF) is available.

In Person
At either the Campus or Medical Center University of California Police station.
By Telephone
Contact the Patrol Watch Commander at 530-752-1172 (Campus) or 916-734-8116 (Medical Center).
By Mail, FAX, or E-Mail
Send a letter, fax, or email, describing your complaint, to the UC Davis Police Department
( Attention: Chief of Police - Email ).

Disposition
Your complaint will be assigned to a supervisor for a full investigation. Upon completion, the findings will be received by the Revision Board, which is composed of Police Captains. Recommendations are made pertaining to both the findings and possible discipline. These recommendations are made to the Chief or Police. The complainant is notified and given all legally allowed information pertaining to the investigation.

SUSTAINED
When the investigation discloses that the act reported did occur and constituted misconduct or improper job performance.
NOT SUSTAINED
When the investigation discloses insufficient evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegations made.
EXONERATED
When the investigation indicates the act occurred, but that the act was justified, lawful, and proper.
UNFOUNDED
When the investigation indicate the act reported did not occur.