Complaint Procedure

The requirements to file a complaint are as follows:

• The complaint must allege a specific act of misconduct.
• The complaint must be made on this form and signed by the complainant.
• The complainant must have first-hand knowledge of the incident in question.
• The complaint must be made within 20 days of the alleged incident.
• An anonymous complaint will not be investigated unless the complaint alleges a criminal code violation.
• A parent or legal guardian must sign the form for a juvenile complainant under the age of 18.
• A person filing a complaint would be required to go to the Portage Police Department to obtain a complaint form which will need to be completed providing the details of the incident and will require the complainant's signature.

Note: To knowingly make a false complaint of misconduct against a law enforcement officer is a crime in Indiana punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Follow Up on Complaints

Once a complaint is received it will be forwarded to the patrol division commander who will assign the office's supervisor to investigate the complaint. The supervisor will contact the complainant to acknowledge receipt of the complaint and to advise them an investigation is being initiated.

After reviewing all facts and circumstances relating to the complaint, the supervisor will determine whether the complaint warrants further investigation. If the complaint is deemed baseless or not factual, no further action will be taken. If the complaint is substantiated in any way or if the supervisor believes it necessitates further review, the complaint and the supervisor's findings will be forwarded to the patrol Division commander.