OfficeofProfessionalStandards

The Office of Professional Standards is under the direct authority of the Superintendent of Police. It is the policy of the Niagara Falls Police Department to investigate all complaints of alleged misconduct, to equitably determine whether the allegations are founded or unfounded, and to take appropriate action when necessary.

The goal and function of the Office of Professional Standards is to ensure that the integrity of the department is maintained and that objectivity, fairness and justice are pursued.

It is the policy of the Niagara Falls Police Department to investigate all complaints of alleged misconduct, to equitably determine whether the allegations are founded or unfounded, and to take appropriate action wen necessary.

The Niagara Falls Police Department is committed to excellence in service to the community. Each day we offer professional police service to our resident population and the daily influx of citizens who visit our city.

The Niagara Falls Police Department responds to thousands of calls for service. Resulting in numerous arrests and criminal reports.

The standards of the Niagara Falls Police Department are among the highest in the state. Our community and the level of police service that we all benefit from, can best prosper by your support of these standards by commendation recommendation, question or complaint.

By way of maintaining exemplary police performance and police/community relations, the Niagara Falls Police Department encourages citizen recommendations for improvement in our police services. We welcome the commendations of police personnel who admirably perform their duties, and encourage questions of complaints about the department's performance or actions of its members.

COMMENDING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

If you wish to commend the actions of any Niagara Falls Police Department employee you can;

· Ask to speak with the employees supervisor and verbally express commendation, or;

· You can write a letter to the Superintendent of Police explaining your commendation.

Superintendent of Police
PO Box 69
520 Hyde Park Blvd.
Niagara Falls, New York 14302

Commendations received by the Superintendent of Police for actions taken by Department employees will result in advising the employee of your gratitude and appreciation. His/her actions and your appreciation will be relayed through a written commendation, a copy of which will be entered into the employee's personnel file. Additionally, a copy will be forwarded to the Awards Committee for review and a possible commendation ribbon.

FILING A COMPLAINT

It is normally the responsibility of the employee's supervisor to meet with you to discuss the complaint. If the employee's supervisor is not available or you can not meet with him/her because of scheduling, you may ask to speak with the on duty supervisor.

You will privately meet with the supervisor to discuss the complaint. The supervisor may be able to explain the officers' actions to your satisfaction. If not, a written complaint will be completed and an investigation will be initiated. While the Niagara Falls Police Department does encourage citizens to file complaints, the complaints must be made in good faith.

Your complaint will be received politely and professionally, you will be expected to conduct yourself in a similar manner. If your conduct is considered inappropriate, the supervisor may insist you return at another time to discuss your complaint.

You will be asked to provide a written sworn statement detailing your complaint. You will be asked to sign the complaint, with the understanding that any false statement by you may subject you to criminal prosecution. You will be provided with a copy of the complaint. A thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted. After the allegations are fully investigated, the Superintendent or his designee will decide what action should be taken to resolve the complaint.

DISPOSITION AFTER INVESTIGATION

The Superintendent of Police or his designee will decide whether the employee violated any rules, regulations or laws of the State of New York. If he determines the employee violated any of the rules or regulations, the complaint will be "sustained" and the employee will receive training, counseling or discipline. If the Superintendent learns that the employee violated New York State Law the appropriate legal action will be initiated through the District Attorney's Office.

You, the complainant, will be notified in writing of the results.

Your complaint will be reviewed as a process of maintaining professionalism and exemplary standards of the Niagara Falls Police Department. The results will be used to implement and maintain policies, procedures, and training in the future.

CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS, POLICE DEPARTMENT

The City of Niagara Falls, Police Department is committed to providing the best law enforcement service possible. Citizen cooperation and participation are essential if the department is to succeed in this goal.

Superintendent John R. Chella maintains an Open Door Policy. If you have any questions regarding our policies or a recommendation on how we can improve our services, please contact the Superintendent.

John R. Chella
Superintendent
520 Hyde Park Blvd.
PO Box 69
Niagara Falls, New York

Phone: (716) 286-4711
Fax: (716) 286-4544
Website: nfpolice.com