The Office of Professional Standards is responsible
for investigating complaints and allegations of improper conduct, as well
as receiving commendations regarding employees of the Medical University of
South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
During non-business hours, complaints
may be directed to an on-duty supervisor by calling 792-2261.
Complaints
may be made by telephone, letter, Email, WEB Form,
or in person.
Complaints must be made by the person
directly involved or by any witness. Other involved individuals may give statements
as witnesses. Complaints should be reported as soon as possible.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR
COMPLAINT
All complaints are investigated. Complainants
will be interviewed in person or over the telephone.
Serious complaints, such as allegations
of criminal conduct or excessive use of force, are investigated by the Internal
Affairs Unit. Less serious matters will normally be investigated by the employee’s
immediate supervisor.
The following steps are taken
in the investigation of your complaint:
-
Any citizen who believes a Public Safety employee has
acted improperly may make a complaint to any on-duty supervisor or directly
to the
Office of Professional Standards.
-
The complaint is received, generally in the form of
a signed Report of Police Misconduct. This form may be obtained at the
Public Safety Building or by contacting the on-duty supervisor who will
supply the form upon request.
-
Complaints of a serious nature are assigned to the
Internal Affairs Unit . A minor complaint
is forwarded to the employee's supervisor.
-
The report is forwarded to the affected employee’s
supervisor for review and disciplinary recommendations. The Director of
Public Safety reviews the supervisors’ disciplinary recommendations and
makes the final determination in serious matters.
-
The employee is informed of the findings and determination
of discipline.
-
Findings and disciplinary recommendations are forwarded
to the
Office of Professional Standards
for filing. The results of the investigation are reported as follows:
Unfounded; Exonerated; Not Sustained; or Sustained. These
results are shared with the complainant, usually in the form of a letter.
The Medical University of South Carolina
Department of Public Safety believes that a fair and impartial complaint
review process is necessary to ensure that the community receives the highest
degree of professional law enforcement. If it becomes necessary to make
a complaint, the citizen can be assured of a fair and thorough investigation.
WHAT ABOUT FALSE COMPLAINTS
Occasionally, the Department of Public Safety will receive
false complaints against its employees. Citizens should be aware that knowingly
making a false statement or written declaration is a violation of South Carolina
State Statutes. All persons, who provide false or misleading information,
subject themselves to arrest and criminal prosecution.
COMMENDATIONS
Equally important as reporting the police misconduct is the recognition
of a job done well. Citizens are encouraged to call, write, or submit a
WEB Form to the Department of Public Safety regarding
exceptional service or performance by its employees. All commendations received
are forwarded to the employee, their supervisor, and the Director.
YOU AND YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
It is a well known fact that a law enforcement agency cannot
be successful in the administration of justice without the support of the
community it serves.
To establish mutual trust, both citizens and public safety
department employees must be assured that a fair and impartial
system exists to thoroughly investigate and properly resolve allegations and
complaints of misconduct.
In a continuing effort to provide the best possible law enforcement
service to the Medical University of South Carolina, the Department of Public
Safety is providing the community with information explaining how citizen
complaints are made, investigated, and resolved.
