Employee conduct: City of Fort Collins

Complaint Process Information

Fort Collins Police Services strives to provide quality professional law enforcement services to the community. Unfortunately, sometimes we fall short of that goal. When we do, we would like to hear about it. If someone is dissatisfied with the service they received from our department, there are several ways in which they can register a complaint.

Regardless of the method chosen, the complaint will be addressed based on the seriousness of the allegation. The department has three classifications of complaints: the performance complaint, a Level One internal affairs (IA) investigation, and a Level Two IA investigation.

Performance complaints generally involve service dissatisfaction. This may involve a citizen's perception about an employee's behavior, a minor violation of agency directives, procedure or practice, or a concern expressed about the way an incident was handled. The employee's direct supervisor is responsible for investigating performance complaints and any applicable discipline.

A Level One complaint involves an allegation that, if substantiated, could result in disciplinary action beyond that usually expected in a performance complaint. Allegations of inappropriate tactics, racial profiling, dishonest conduct, and sexual harassment are examples of a Level One complaint. These allegations can be handled by the employee's direct supervisor or the Internal Affairs supervisor. A Level One complaint is not appropriate for allegations that require the review of the Citizen Review Board. However, a Level One allegation is more serious than a performance complaint. A Level One complaint is documented on the "Internal Affairs Intake Form". Upon completion of the investigation, the case is reviewed by the involved employee's chain of command including the Chief of Police.

A Level Two complaint is one which is required to be reviewed by the Citizen Review Board.. Allegations of excessive force, a violation of law, civil rights violations, and similar conduct are considered Level Two complaints. These complaints are normally investigated by Internal Affairs personnel. The investigation is reviewed by the involved employee's chain of command including the Chief of Police. In addition, prior to the Chief rendering his/her final decision, the Citizen Review Board will review the case. A Level Two complaint is documented on the "Internal Affairs Intake Form". This form can be found in an Internal Affairs Complaint Packet.

To make a complaint:

A complaint may be presented to Fort Collins Police Services by any source; in person, by telephone, by letter, or by filling out an Internal Affairs Complaint Packet. Complaint Packets can be obtained at Fort Collins Police Services, the downtown Fort Collins Library, the Aztlan Center, the City Manager's Office, and on-line at fcgov.com/police/employee conduct. Also, the forms will, in the future, be available in Spanish.

When a complaint is made in person, the complainant shall be immediately referred to the employee's supervisor or an on-duty supervisor. In the event a supervisor is not immediately available, the employee receiving the complaint will record as much information as possible and advise a supervisor at the earliest moment.

What happens after a complaint is filed with Fort Collins Police Services?

In most cases, the involved employee's immediate supervisor will investigate the matter. In some circumstances, depending upon the nature of the complaint, Internal Affairs personnel may conduct the investigation. Complainants will be advised who is investigating the matter.

The investigating supervisor may contact the complainant (and witnesses) in person or by telephone, and a written statement may be requested. The involved employee(s) will also be interviewed about the incident.

A review of the investigation (Level One and Level Two) will be made by the employee's chain of command to determine whether the employee's conduct violated any agency directives or procedures and to make recommendations. If the complaint requires a review by the Citizen Review Board (CRB), the Chief of Police will render a finding following the CRB review. The complainant will receive written notification of the Chief's finding. Disciplinary or corrective action taken against the employee is confidential and protected by personnel law; it will not be made public.

The entire process can take several weeks, for a Performance Complaint, and up to several months, for a Level Two complaint, to be completed. Additional time is required and allowed by City ordinance if the complaint is reviewed by the CRB.

Questions about the complaint process or the status of a case should be referred to Internal Affairs, 970-221-6831.