Overview

It is the policy of the Winter Haven Police Department to accept and investigate all complaints against its members of alleged misconduct.

These inquiries will be performed in order to provide the citizens of the community a fair and effective avenue for redress of their legitimate grievances against a member and by the same token, protect members from false charges of misconduct or wrongdoing and provide for due process safeguards.

Upon achieving such goals, this process will instill in the citizens confidence and support in the integrity of the agency and its members.

Commend an Officer

Would you like to give a shout-out to a member of our agency? We have a variety of ways you can send us good news:

• Email the Police Department
• Mail a letter to the Chief at:
  125 N Lake Silver Drive NW
  Winter Haven FL 33881
• Visit us in person at:
  125 N Lake Silver Drive NW
  Winter Haven, FL 33881

Interacting with Law Enforcement

Have questions about Interacting With Law Enforcement? The Interacting with Law Enforcement Brochure (PDF) will help answer some questions.

Complaints

Police staff shall explain the complaint and investigative process to citizens who inquire about filing a complaint. All complaints will be recorded by a supervisor or Internal Affairs staff. All complaints, regardless of nature or manner received, with the exception of those associated with pending civil litigation, will be entered on a Complaint Against Police Officer Form.

Complaints may be filed in person; a Complaint Against Police Officer Form may be mailed by request; or arrangements may be made for an Internal Affairs investigator to meet with the citizen if they are physically unable to visit the police station. Complaints may be submitted anonymously.

When a citizen is found to be physically unable or lacks minimum writing skills to complete the form, it shall be prepared by the receiving member/employee. Citizens unable to speak or write English will be encouraged to submit the complaint in their native language or have an interpreter available.

Within 24 hours of the initial complaint, excluding weekends or holidays; the complaint shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police for review. After review, the Chief of Police shall:

• Forward the complaint to the Internal Affairs Officer for further investigation;
• Declare the complaint unfounded;
• Initiate disciplinary procedure without further investigation;
• Forward the complaint to the supervisor of the affected member for further investigation

The complaint may be forwarded immediately to the Internal Affairs Unit for review and recording. Complaints of a serious nature, such as corruption or other criminal conduct, shall require the Chief of Police to be immediately notified.

Within 45 calendar days after recording, the assigned investigator shall forward his/her findings to the Chief of Police. Extensions of this period may be authorized by the Chief of Police and must be requested by the assigned investigator. At the investigation's conclusion, the Chief of Police shall notify the member/employee and the member/employee's Commander/Supervisor, in writing of the results. The complainant shall be informed concerning the complaint status, including:

• Verification of receipt of the complaint
• Periodic status reports
• Upon conclusion of the complaint, the Chief of Police shall be responsible for notifying all complainants in writing of the findings and conclusions.

The Department constantly seeks to improve operational efficiencies. Sometimes investigations disclose faulty procedures that otherwise would have gone undetected. Thus, these procedures can be improved or corrected.

Minors who wish to file a sworn complaint must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and the sworn complaint should be signed by the parent or legal guardian and the minor.

Members and supervisors initiating a complaint against another member shall adhere to the following procedures:

A typewritten memo will be prepared and directed to the attention of the involved member's Bureau Commander via the chain of command.