It is the policy of the Fairfield Police Department to investigate all complaints of alleged employee misconduct and to equitably determine whether the allegations are valid or invalid and to take appropriate action. All allegations of departmental or officer misconduct shall be properly investigated in a timely manner whether such complaints are received verbally, in writing, electronically, through a third party, or anonymously.
Please be prepared to provide the time, date, and location of the event, the names of the department personnel involved (if known), and the name(s), address(s), and telephone number(s) of any possible witnesses.
Internal Affairs Investigations are conducted by the Office of Professional Standards.
An inquiry or complaint may be made on an official Citizen Complaint Form that can be obtained at the front desk of the police department, at the Human Resources Department at Town Hall, or can be downloaded by clicking the “Citizen Complaint Form” link below.
Complaints also may be submitted in writing (including letters or email), by telephone, or in person to:
Lieutenant Jason Kline
Office of Professional Standards
Fairfield Police Department
100 Reef Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
E-Mail: jkline@fairfieldct.org
Office Phone: (203) 254-4655
Civilian Complaint form - PDF(ENGHLISH)
Civilian Complaint form - PDF(SPANISH)
INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
Once your complaint has been received, it will be thoroughly investigated by the investigator designated by the Chief of Police. The investigation will usually include a review of all applicable reports, policies and procedures, examination of any evidence, and interviews with all parties and witnesses involved. A simple inquiry may take only a few days to complete, while a complex complaint may take two to three months to investigate and review.
The Chief of Police ultimately reviews every complaint. If the Chief of Police determines that an employee violated any departmental policy or procedure, appropriate corrective action will be taken.
If unsatisfied with the results of an internal investigation, the complainant may contact the Office of the Chief of Police.
FINDINGS
You will receive written notification at the conclusion of the internal affairs investigation. There are four possible outcomes of any administrative investigation:
- Sustained: The allegation made in the complaint was proven true.
- Not-Sustained: Evidence in the investigation could not prove or disprove the allegation.
- Unfounded: The investigation concluded that the alleged act never occurred.
- Exonerated: The investigation concluded that act did occur, but was justified, lawful, and proper under police policies and procedures.
If the investigation of a complaint reveals it to be true and is sustained against an employee, the Department will notify the employee and the complainant of the finding. Depending upon the nature of the violation, one or more of the following actions may be taken:
- Counsel the employee.
- Retrain the employee.
- Reprimand the employee.
- Suspend the employee.
- Demote the employee.
- Discharge the employee.
- By law, employees must be afforded certain rights. Complaints can be sustained only when supported by evidence. If there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaint, no action will be taken against the employee.