How Do Decatur Police Address Citizen Complaints?

The Decatur police say they take citizen complaints against officers seriously and appropriate action when necessary.

A Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch review of complaints filed in recent years shows most are dismissed as unfounded or unsustained following department investigations.

Most of the complaints concern police officers' courtesy or conduct.

But in a few cases, the department has taken more serious action.

In 2012, one officer was fired following an investigation of an abuse of position complaint. A second officer resigned that same year to avoid being fired on an unbecoming conduct complaint.

The focus on the department's actions with respect to citizen complaints comes as it investigates a case of alleged racial profiling involving a black homeowner.

The results of the department's probe into the matter could be completed as early as Friday.

We wanted to see the volume of complaints the department receives each year and their resolution.

These are the results:

2012:
Complaints: 12

• Unfounded: 7
• Not Sustained: 2
• Withdrawn: 1
• Sustained: 2

• Resolution in Sustained Cases: 1 termination and 1 resignation

• Exonerated: 15
• Not Sustained: 8**
• Sustained: 1

• Resolution in Sustained Cases: 2* oral reprimands

• Exonerated: 16
• Not Sustained/Unfounded: 4**
• Withdrawn: 1 
• Sustained: 5

• Resolution in Sustained Cases: 4 oral reprimands, 1 written reprimand, 1 suspension and 1 demotion
  

• Exonerated: 13
• Not Sustained/Unfounded: 13
• Sustained: 4

• Resolution in Sustained Cases: 3 oral reprimands, 1 written reprimand

• Not Sustained/Unfounded: 19
• Sustained: 6

• Resolution in Sustained Cases: 1 one-day suspension, 2 oral reprimands, 2 written reprimands, 1 counseling