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Identical to Carmel Police
policy and procedure, it is
the policy of the
Carmel-Clay Communications
Department to appropriately
investigate all allegations
of employee misconduct. A
complaint may be filed in
person, by telephone, by
email or by letter 24 hours
a day, 365 days per year. If
we are doing something
wrong, the complaint will
help the Communications
Department recognize and
ultimately rectify the
wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked
Questions
HOW DO I
INITIATE A COMPLAINT AGAINST
A DISPATCHER?
A complaint may be initiated
in person, by telephone, by
letter or by email.
Complaints can be filed 24
hours a day with the
Communications Shift
Supervisor. During regular
business hours, other
administrative personnel are
also available to take a
complaint.
IF I AM
UNDER 18 YEARS OLD, DO I
HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE A
COMPLAINT?
Yes, just have a parent,
legal guardian or a
responsible adult present
with you.
MUST I GIVE MY NAME IN ORDER
TO FILE A COMPLAINT?
No. However, anonymous
complaints can be very
difficult to investigate and
thus the conclusion might
not be what you expected.
Also, if the investigation
results in a criminal action
against the Dispatcher, you
may be subpoenaed into court
for a successful
prosecution.
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WILL THE
DISPATCHER KNOW THAT I HAVE
MADE A COMPLAINT?
Yes, the Dispatcher will be
advised of the allegations
made against him or her and,
if the complainant has
identified himself, the
identity of the person
making the allegation will
be provided to the
Dispatcher.
WHO IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
INVESTIGATION OF THE
COMPLAINT?
The Director of
Communications is
responsible for the
administration of internal
investigations. Certain
allegations, such as
criminal violations etc.,
require a formal internal
affairs investigation by the
Police Department.
Complaints of a lesser
nature may be investigated
by a Dispatch Supervisor
outside the employee's
direct chain of command.
Depending upon the charge
made, other agencies may be
called upon to investigate
criminal allegations against
the Dispatcher. The results
of all investigations are
forwarded to the
Communications Director for
final disposition.
WHAT WILL
HAPPEN TO THE DISPATCHER?
If the investigation reveals
misconduct, the Dispatcher
will be disciplined
according to the seriousness
of the rules violation.
Disciplinary actions range
from oral reprimand to
suspension and in extreme
cases, termination. If the
allegation is criminal in
nature, the case will be
presented to the Hamilton
County prosecutor's Office
for review and action. Other
appropriate remedies include
policy change and
retraining.
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NEED I BE
CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE
RETALIATION FOR MAKING A
COMPLAINT AGAINST AN
DISPATCHER?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! It is
essential that public
confidence be maintained
which enhances the ability
of the Department to
investigate and properly
adjudicate complaints
against it's staff members.
An employee who retaliates
against you as a result of
the filing of a complaint is
subject to disciplinary
action up to and including
dismissal from the
Department.
HOW LONG
WILL THE INVESTIGATION TAKE?
Minor complaints are often
handled immediately. As a
general rule, the
investigation of serious
charges should be concluded
within thirty (30) days
unless the circumstances
necessitate additional time.
WILL I
BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS
OF THE DEPARTMENT'S
INVESTIGATION?
Once the investigation has
been concluded, the Director
of Communications will
inform you in writing of the
results if you have
identified yourself when
making the complaint.
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WHAT IF I
AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE
RESULTS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S
INVESTIGATION?
Any person who believes that
his/her allegations have not
been taken seriously,
investigated thoroughly or
resolved satisfactorily by
the Department may submit a
letter stating his or her
concerns to the Carmel City
Attorney who, after
investigation, shall notify
the Board of Public Works
and Safety in Executive
Session. The BPWS would
review the information and
decide if the complaint
required additional
attention.
WHAT IF I
FILE A FALSE COMPLAINT?
If you believe the complaint
to be valid and the
Dispatcher is ultimately
exonerated, the case will be
ended. However, if it is
determined that the
complaint was intentionally
false and malicious, you may
be subject to criminal
charges or a civil suit.
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