Complaint Procedure
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department serves the community and it is our citizens that we are ultimately responsible to. Personnel are directed to perform their duties in a courteous and professional manner. Police work often involves working without direct supervision in a variety of circumstances. Personnel are directed to make judgmental decisions within the parameters of law and departmental policy by applying their training and experience to individual situations. Often times these situations are stressful in nature. Given these elements, it is inevitable that from time to time citizen complaints are generated.
The web page is designed to provide you with information on how to file a citizen complaint as well as what to expect once a complaint has been filed by discussing the complaint process.
Making a Complaint
There are several ways to initiate the complaint process:
Contact the Sheriff's Department for internal complaints at the following telephone number (574) 265-2219 or go to the Sheriff's Department located on 221 W. Main Street and inform the person at the front desk you are there to file a complaint. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30pm. After hours you may reach the Patrol Supervisor at (574) 267-5667.
You may make a complaint in person, telephone, or use this website. If using this form, please be sure to include all pertinent information and a phone number that we can contact you at.
The Complaint Process
Every supervisor is capable of taking your initial complaint information. There may be instances in which simply speaking to a supervisor is sufficient to resolve the matter. For formalized complaints the department has developed a process to ensure that all pertinent information is received. There will be an initial fact gathering interview in which the circumstances, officer(s) involved, and any witnesses present will be documented.
The involved employee is informed that they are the subject of a complaint, unless notification would be detrimental to the case. If applicable they are ordered not to discuss the situation with anyone, but the investigator to negate the possibility of influencing the perceptions of fellow employees who might be witnesses. The investigation consists of:
- The possible re-interview of the complainant;
- Locating and interviewing any witnesses;
- The collection and review of records, such as recordings of radio transmissions or phone calls as well as police reports
- An interview of the employee who is the subject of the investigation
- At conclusion a final report is submitted.
- Disposition
Disclaimer
Making a complaint against an employee of this department is taken very serious and has potential consequences for that employees future employment; it is against the law to make a complaint that you know to be false and you may be charged and prosecuted for a crime.
If you are charged with an offense and awaiting hearing before the courts, the complaint may be deferred until after adjudication of the case by the judge.
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