2008-04-07_Bill 270_Ordinance_re_Office_of_Police_Oversight

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PROCESSING OF CIVILIAN COMPLAINTS HAWAII POLICE COMMISSION Effective April 20, 2007 1. Complaint received by Commission and forwarded to Internal Affairs. Once a complaint is received, it is reviewed by the Commission's Task Force, and immediately transmitted to Internal Affairs so an investigation may begin. This eliminates the delay between the filing of the complaint and a formal referral to the police at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. Note that the Task Force may recommend the case be closed by the Commission and not referred to IA. This recommendation should be submitted to the full Commission for formal action at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. 2. Complaint agendized at the next Commission meeting. This will allow the complainant to appear before the Commission and provide testimony before the investigation is completed, thereby promoting integrity and transparency. A representative from Internal Affairs should be present to hear this testimony. In cases where the Task Force recommends closure, the full Commission may act on the recommendation by (1) adopting the Task Force recommendation and closing the case, or (2) referring the case to Internal Affairs for further investigation. 3. Completed Internal Affairs investigation presented to the Commission. The completed investigation should be presented to the Commission for review. A representative from Internal Affairs should be present to answer any questions. The status of investigations may be monitored by the Commission when the Internal Affairs representative presents their status report at the monthly Commission meeting. 4. Complainant notified of outcome. The complainant should be notified by the Commission of the outcome of the investigation; whether the charges were sustained or not. The type of discipline meted out, however, cannot be released, unless the officer was discharged.