POLICE COMPLAINTS:
The Montgomery ISD Police Department will investigate any citizen complaint regarding police personnel behavior or actions.
Complaint Form (click here)
THE PROCESS:
Once an individual has filed a complaint, he/she should expect the following process to commence: For additional information please reference MISD Board Policy CKE (LOCAL), or calling 936-276-2200, or email [email protected]
THE INTERVIEW:
A police officer (rank of sergeant or higher) will interview the individual filing the complaint. The officer will ask the alleged victim questions about what happened. It is possible that the interviewing officer will be able to explain the actions in question to your satisfaction.
- Usually, the alleged victim will be interviewed at the Montgomery Independent School District Police office. It is possible that he/she may be videotaped during the interview.
- The individual filing the complaint may bring a lawyer, family member or friend to the interview.
- The police officer will ask the individual filing a complaint for the names of witnesses and other police officers that may know facts about the complaint.
- A police photographer may take pictures of any injuries that the alleged victim thinks are related to the complaint.
THE INVESTIGATION:
After the interview, the Montgomery Independent School District Police Department will investigate the alleged misconduct. Investigators will talk to witnesses and visit the site of the incident. .
- All officers involved in or have knowledge of the incident will be interviewed.
- Witnesses whom the alleged victim has named will be contacted and interviewed, if they agree.
- The alleged victim will receive a letter regarding the progress of the investigation. Although it is impossible to estimate how long the investigation will take, the alleged victim will receive periodic reports on its status.
- A written report will then be prepared.
THE FINDING:
The results of your complaint are called "findings". The four possible findings include the following:
- Sustained - The complaint has been supported: The officer(s) involved acted improperly and may be disciplined.
- Unfounded - The investigation found no basis to the complaint filed.
- Exonerated - The police officer(s) involved acted properly and will not be disciplined; or
- Not provable - There was not enough evidence to prove the complaint true or false so no further action will be taken.
THE REVIEW PROCESS:
The Chief of Police reviews every complaint after the investigation is completed and a report is written.
- If the complaint includes excessive force or charges an officer with a crime, the appropriate county district attorney will also review the report. The Chief of Police will decide on finding after reviewing the complaint, and the alleged victim will be informed of the findings in writing.