Thank you for taking the time to inform us of a situation that you believe deserves our attention. We encourage both positive and negative citizen feedback to assist us in our goal of providing the best law enforcement service possible to the citizens in our community and schools.

Compliments

  • Should you wish to compliment an employee who has provided you with outstanding service, please email the commendation to us at Compliments. The commendation will be forwarded to the employee’s supervisor for review and appropriate action.

Complaints

  • If you have a complaint of misconduct involving a DCSP employee, please use the information provided below to file your complaint.

  • Download a Complaint Form to Email, Mail-in, or Hand Deliver (instructions on page 3)

  • The most appropriate person to file a complaint is the person experiencing or witnessing alleged police misconduct rather than uninvolved third parties.

    We will need the cooperation of the involved citizen(s) to ensure a successful investigation. However, parents or guardians should feel free to make complaints on behalf of their juvenile.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • Who may register a complaint?

    • What does the Complaint Procedure entail?

    • What do the dispositions mean?

     

    Who may register a complaint?

    Any citizen or member of the District may make a complaint. Complaints may be filed in person, by email, mail, or telephone.  Anonymous complaints will be handled at the discretion of the Chief.

    A complaint may be submitted to any member of the Duval County School Police. All complaints are forwarded to the Internal Affairs Section whose regular office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday except for holidays. In addition, there is a supervisor available upon request 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After hours, please report any complaints to the police communications division at (904) 855-3319

    Every complaint, regardless of its nature, is appropriately investigated. Whenever possible, complaints of minor violations of Department policy or procedures are assigned to the supervisor of the accused member’s unit. Discipline is recognized as a function of command.

     

    What does the Complaint Procedure entail?

    Complaints, generally, fall under two categories:

    1. Serious Misconduct – commission of an unlawful act or actions on the part of the employee which warrants a detailed investigation by Internal Affairs

    2. Minor Misconduct – violations of the department's written rules and/or regulations

    Minor misconduct is investigated by the member’s commanding officer. A written report is forwarded to the Internal Affairs Unit.

    Serious complaints are investigated by the Internal Affairs Section. A report is prepared which includes sworn statements from the complainant, the accused, and the witnesses.

    The completed investigation report also includes a narrative summary of the events and a finding of the facts. The report must present an accurate account of the circumstances as they actually occurred.

    This permits the supervisors to make a proper recommendation, based on the investigative findings presented.

    The employees’ supervisors include their immediate supervisor, the employees' Lieutenant, the Assistant Chief, and the Chief of School Police. Recommendations for disciplinary action will be made by the Chief of Police.

    What do the dispositions mean?

    The possible dispositions of the complaints are classified as follows:

    • Unfounded – The allegation is false or not factual.

    • Exonerated – The incident occurred but was lawful and proper.

    • Not Sustained – There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation.

    • Sustained – There is a preponderance of evidence to prove the employee committed the alleged misconduct

    • Policy Revision – The action of the agency or the employee was consistent with agency policy; however, the policy may require amending or revision.

    In all cases, the employee is notified of the disposition.

    There are five types of disciplinary action which can be recommended for a sustained case:

    1. Written Reprimand One – the first step in terms of severity of corrective action

    2. Written Reprimand Two – an official censure of unacceptable acts or behavior which is administered in a positive manner

    3. Suspension – a temporary removal from the ranks of active employment and loss of pay

    4. Demotion

    5. Dismissal

     

    Florida State Statute 837.06: Whoever knowingly makes a false statement in writing with the intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his or her official duty shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.

    Pursuant to Florida State Statute 119 all correspondence with the DCSP is public record. Exceptions occur when information is shared as part of a criminal investigation, internal investigation or contains criminal intelligence.

    Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public record do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact the Internal Affairs Unit by phone at 904.858-6100 or in writing.

    Under Florida law, once these cases are disposed of they will be public record.


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