Richmond Police Department Complaint Process

The Richmond Police Department takes all complaints seriously. The employees of the Richmond Police Department are committed to delivering the highest level of public safety services possible to our citizens and visitors to our community. We hold ourselves to the very highest standards of conduct. It is my expectation that our employees will always perform their duties with integrity, respect and in a professional manner.

Under the direction of the Chief of Police, the Professional Standards Unit is responsible for the administration of the complaint process. When a complaint of alleged misconduct of an employee is reported, we will thoroughly investigate the allegations while being open and transparent about the process. In most cases, the investigation will be completed within 30-45 days.

Texas State Law (Section 614.022 of the Government Code) requires that complaints against certain law enforcement officers, and public safety employees must be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. Just as citizens who are arrested must be notified of the charges against them, police officers are entitled to a copy of the complaint before any disciplinary action may be taken. Filing a false complaint against a police employee is a violation of the Texas Penal Code, Section 37.02.

Racial Profiling Complaints

CCP Art. 2.132 Law Enforcement Policy on Racial Profiling requires the department to provide public education on the racial profiling complaint process. To meet this requirement, the Richmond Police Department publishes the complaint process on this website as well making the information available in person at police headquarters.

Members of the Richmond Police Department will not engage in any activities that are discriminatory or indicative of the practices of racial profiling or bias-based profiling. Officers will focus on the conduct of the individual and/or specific suspect information in taking police action. Individuals will not be targeted for enforcement action, detention, field contacts, asset seizure, and forfeiture efforts, or interdictions solely based on race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, or age.

How to file a complaint

There are several ways to file a complaint:

In person at:  Richmond Police Department

                         600 Preston St.

                         Richmond, TX 77469

By phone, contact the Office of the Chief of Police -Professional Standards Unit during regular business hours at (346) 843-2791

Contacting an on-duty Supervisor at (281) 342-2849 after regular business hours.

Complete the webpage complaint form.  Download and print Complaint Form here.  

Download and print Continuation Page if needed.

You can also mail USPS your complaint to:

Richmond Police Department

Office of the Chief of Police

600 Preston St.
Richmond, TX 77469

Complaint Dispositions and notification

After a thorough investigation, the complaint will be classified into one of the following dispositions:

• Unfounded: The investigation reveals the allegation is false or is not factual, or otherwise tends to disprove the allegation of misconduct.
• Exonerated: The investigation tends to support the reported facts, but the conduct does not appear improper or unlawful or it is within policy.
• Not Sustained: The investigation yields insufficient information, or evidence to prove or disprove the allegation of misconduct.
• Sustained: The investigation and facts tend to support the allegation of misconduct.
• Misconduct not based on complaint: The investigation reveals a violation not related to the allegation raised in the complaint.
• Policy Failure or other: The improper employee action was based on policy or department training failure.

At the conclusion of the investigation and allegation review process you will be notified in writing of the disposition of the complaint.

^{What happens when a complaint is found to be true?}

If the investigation of a complaint reveals it is true and should be sustained against an employee, the department will notify the employee of the finding. Depending on the nature of the violation, one or more of the appropriate following actions may be taken:

• Verbal/Written Counsel with employee
• Retrain the employee
• Written Reprimand with employee
• Suspend the employee
• Demote the employee
• Discharge the employee

Employees will be provided a written notice of any disciplinary action initiated. While progressive steps of discipline are encouraged, any of the discipline options may be exercised as the facts may warrant.

What happens if the complaint is found not to be true?

By law, employees must be afforded certain rights, the same as with all citizens. Complaints can be sustained only when supported by substantial evidence. If there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaint, no action will be taken against the employee.

The Richmond Police Department wants to serve the community to the best of our ability. We are always striving to improve, and always looking for citizen input and feedback. We welcome constructive criticism and are willing to take the time to examine our actions in order to improve our service.  

Compliments

If you have a compliment regarding a Richmond Police Department employee, you may send your compliment to the Chief of Police in the following ways:

By phone: (281) 342-2849 X820

By email: jcraig@richmondtx.gov

By mail: Richmond Police Department

              600 Preston St

              Richmond, TX 77469