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File a Personnel Complaint
Lodi’s Citizen Complaint procedure helps you, the community, and the police as well.
If you have a concern about the practices or personnel of the Lodi Police Department, what can you do about it?
Internal Affairs Section
The Lodi Police Department Internal Affairs Section investigates citizen complaints regarding police department personnel or policies. A positive relationship between the police and the public they serve, fostered by confidence and trust, is essential to effective law enforcement. While the police are charged with vigorous enforcement of the law, they must meticulously observe the rights of all people. Police personnel, at the same time, must be free to take action in a reasonable, lawful, and impartial manner without fear of reprisal.
Therefore, it is important that adequate provisions be made for the prompt receipt, investigation, and disposition of complaints regarding the conduct of police personnel. To this end, the Lodi Police Department welcomes criticism of the department and valid complaints against its members or procedures.
The purpose of the Internal Affairs Section is to ensure complete, fair, and impartial investigations of citizen complaints.
To file a complaint, you may call the Watch Commander at 209-333-6730, or the Internal Affairs Division at 209-269-4831. If you are filing a formal complaint, please fill out the Citizen Feedback Form (PDF) and press submit. If you have any attachments, please email them to Internal Affairs, or visit us in person:
The Lodi Police Department
215 W Elm Street
Lodi, CA 95240
Providing Information
The person receiving your concern will ask you to provide as much information as possible regarding the incident. If you were involved or witnessed the incident, it is extremely important to the investigation that the Police Department obtains your statement. You may provide a written statement; however, it must be submitted to the Lodi Police Department within ten days of your initial complaint to be considered in the investigation.
Investigation Process
Depending on the circumstances of your concern, it may be investigated in one of two ways. It will either be forwarded to the member's supervisor for inquiry or to the Internal Affairs Section for investigation.
Each allegation is examined on its own merits. Formal investigations require investigators to contact all available witnesses, including police officers, examine any relevant physical evidence and gather all information pertinent to each allegation made in the complaint.
Possible Findings
The Chief of Police will render a finding in each case. There are four possible findings:
- Sustained
The investigation disclosed enough evidence to clearly prove the allegation. - Not sustained
The investigation failed to reveal enough evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegation. - Exonerated
The act, which provided the basis for the complaint, did occur; however, the investigation revealed the act was justified, lawful and proper. - Unfounded
The investigation has produced sufficient evidence to prove that the act or acts alleged did not occur. This finding shall also apply when individual personnel named in the complaint were not involved in an act that did occur.
Notification & Resolution
You will be notified of the finding in writing at the conclusion.
When a finding of "Sustained" is determined, corrective action will be taken. The types of corrective action imposed are subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of California and are deemed confidential. Disciplinary action may include:
- Action up to and including termination
- Counseling
- Training
If your complaint is sustained and punitive discipline is imposed, the employee has appeal rights. Therefore, you may be required to testify at one or more disciplinary appeal hearings conducted by the City.
Your valid concerns and criticisms help us protect the community from possible misconduct by employees. At the same time, a thorough and impartial investigation procedure helps protect employees from unwarranted charges when they perform their duties properly.
Per California Penal Code Section 832.5 (a): Each department or agency in this State which employs peace officers shall establish a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints against the personnel of such departments or agencies, and shall make a written description of the procedure available to the public.
Penal Code Section 148.6 (b) states that any law enforcement agency accepting a concern of misconduct against a peace officer shall require the complainant to read and sign the following information advisory:
You have the right to make a complaint against a police officer for any improper police conduct. California law requires this agency to have a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints. You have a right to a written description of this procedure. This agency may find after investigation that there is not enough evidence to warrant action on your complaint; even if that is the case, you have the right to make the complaint and have it investigated if you believe an officer behaved improperly. Citizen complaints must be retained by this agency for at least five years.
The men and women of the Lodi Police Department take their responsibilities very seriously. We understand that public respect and trust is earned each and every day.
Sierra Brucia
Chief of Police