| Ever since the Rodney King incident, the | | | | file the complaint without resistance. |
| world at large has become increasingly aware | | | | However, if he or she does not wish to file |
| of police brutality. One would presume that | | | | the complaint, then you must keep going up |
| mass public awareness would stem such | | | | the chain of command until you reach the |
| aggressive behavior from law enforcement | | | | Chief of Police. |
| officers, but that doesn't seem to be the | | | | |
| case. Police officers, if anything, have only | | | | Once filed at the department, a complaint |
| become more careful in how they verbally and | | | | becomes a permanent record on the officer's |
| physically abuse the general public. | | | | file. If an officer receives too many, he or |
| | | | she will get suspended or moved to a position |
| Most U.S. residents don't realize there is a | | | | that does not require public interaction. If |
| simple method to combat such abuse. In fact, | | | | enough complaints have been filed, the |
| this particular expression of public-power | | | | department may choose to fire the officer |
| can immobilize an officer's career and, in | | | | rather than risk having to explain why a |
| extreme cases, bring an abrupt end to the | | | | troubled officer was allowed to continue |
| officer's employment; yes, you can get a | | | | serving the public. |
| police officer fired if you so desire. | | | | |
| | | | Filing a complaint against an officer is |
| If an officer is unnecessarily rough with you | | | | extremely powerful. It has a lifetime effect |
| or is verbally abusive, you only need to do | | | | on the officer's career. It can prevent an |
| one thing: file a complaint. | | | | officer from being promoted and can |
| | | | definitely cause problems whenever an officer |
| Complaints are easy to file. Simply show up | | | | attempts to lateral to a new department. |
| at the officer's department, walk up to the | | | | |
| front desk, and ask to file a complaint | | | | It is not only your right to file a complaint |
| against an officer. The front desk must file | | | | against an abusive police officer; you should |
| the complaint; it is not the receptionist's | | | | look at it as your responsibility. Such |
| responsibility to validate your claim. You | | | | behavior in a law enforcement officer is |
| should then proceed to calmly and rationally | | | | unacceptable. If you don't file a complaint, |
| fill out the paperwork and submit it. | | | | the abusive behavior will only continue and |
| | | | could possibly escalate. |
| If the receptionist refuses to assist you | | | | |
| (which they will do almost every time), then | | | | Filing a complaint against a police officer |
| you must ask to speak with the Watch | | | | is one instance where the pen is truly |
| Commander on duty. If the Watch Commander has | | | | mightier than the sword - or in this case, |
| any sense of responsibility, he or she will | | | | the gun. |