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1996 Annual Report
Office of the Chief of Police

The Office of the Chief of Police is composed of the Chief, Staff Assistant IV Terrie Centeno, Sergeant Gary Gallinot, who serves as both the Chief's adjutant and the Department's public information officer, and the Internal Affairs Division.

The Chief is the administrator in charge of the Department and represents it within and outside of the community. He serves on numerous committees and task forces not only to keep informed on community issues, but to actively work toward solutions. Very involved in an ongoing dialogue with residents and business people, the Chief remains sensitive to the public's needs.

Internal Affairs Division

The primary function of the Internal Affairs Division is to investigate all allegations of misconduct by employees of the Department. Allegations can be as simple as a minor policy violation or as complex as a criminal investigation. Investigations are administered by Division staff, and all related notices and reports are generated by them. As prescribed by law, records pertaining to personnel complaints are retained and kept confidential within the Division.

Internal Affairs (IA) personnel assist the City's appointed attorneys in any appeals process which might result from discipline dispensed by the Chief of Police. They also support the City Attorney's office in responding to subpoenas which seek employees' files for court proceedings.

IA consists of one lieutenant, one sergeant and a transcriber typist. Together, they investigated 75 personnel complaints during the year, a 7.1% increase over the 70 complaints handled in 1995. Of the 75 alleged violations, eight were for excessive force, 34 for conduct unbecoming, three for preventable traffic accidents and 30 for neglect of duty. Twenty complaints were found to be sustained resulting in 17 written reprimands and one resignation in lieu of discipline. Twenty three additional complaints were pending at year's end, either because an employee was absent from duty due to medical reasons or because the complaint was still in the review process.

It is important to the Chief of Police that the Division embody the Mission, Vision and Values Statement in its daily operations. The Department needs the trust and support of the public and its employees. It is, therefore, paramount that staff demonstrate fair and equal treatment of all citizens and employees, and that they strive to protect each group's rights.

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This page was last modified on 01/26/2008