§ 18-186.04. Citizen Complaints.

(a)

Whenever an individual believes that he or she has been the object of police misconduct, such individual may file a written complaint with the Chief of Police on a form provided by the Police Department.

(1)

The complaint shall include the name of the complainant and, to the extent known, the name of the law enforcement officer allegedly involved, and the time, place, and circumstances involved in the incident. The complaint shall also include an explanation of the conduct that is deemed to be wrongful.

(2)

Sufficient supplies of citizen complaint forms shall be readily available at every Prince George's County Police station, every public library branch within the County, and at a designated office in the County Administration Building. These written complaint forms may be submitted in person or sent by mail to any office of the Prince George's County Police Department or to any office of the Panel.

(b)

Individuals who present oral complaints by telephone or in person to police headquarters or to individual law enforcement officers shall be instructed to fill out a written citizen complaint form. The law enforcement officers shall advise such individuals of the correct procedures to be followed under this Section. Upon request, a copy of the citizen complaint form will be mailed to the complainant at the address furnished.

(c)

The Police Department shall place posters in all police stations, and elsewhere throughout the County, to explain the procedure for filing a complaint.

(d)

An explanation of the complaint procedure shall be made to all officers of the Prince George's County Police Department in a General Order to be included in the Manual of Rules and Procedures of the Police Department, and shall be included in the training program for all new officers.

(CB-25-1990)