Making a Complaint Against the CP Police Service Complaints and Concerns The CP Police Service s Professional Standards Department (PSD) tracks all citizen complaints and concerns. PSD monitors the public complaint process and handles complaints regarding all employees of the CP Police Service. Who Can File a Complaint? Anyone who is directly affected by the conduct of a CP Police Service employee or the policies/procedures of the CP Police Service can file a complaint. Complaints may be made on a person s behalf, only if, the complainant is: A parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of majority, who is directly affected; A person acting on behalf of a complainant who is directly affected, and is incapacitated or not competent to make a complaint; Legal counsel acting on behalf of a complainant directly affected. What can a complaint be filed about? A complaint can be filed against: The on-duty actions of any employee of the CP Police Service; or The policies/procedures of the CP Police Service. What is the time limit for filing a complaint? A complaint must be submitted within 6 months of the date of an incident. How to Make a Complaint A complaint can be filed by: Submitting a CP Police Service Complaint Form to CP Police Service, Bldg 5, 7550 Ogden Dale Rd SE, Calgary, Alberta T2C 4X9 or by fax at 403-319-4752 or by email at: Police_ProfessionalStandards@cppoliceservice.com Submitting a CP Police Service Complaint Form, in person, to any employee of the CP Police Service, at any CP Police Service detachment or office.
What to Expect When Making a Complaint Consent to proceed The complainants consent, on a CP Police Service Complaint Form, is required before the complaint process can begin. If a CP Police Service Complaint Form has not been signed by the complainant, the complaint process cannot commence, unless the Service has deemed it appropriate to launch an investigation. Recording the complaint A CP Police Service Complaint Form that has been received by an employee of the CP Police Service will be forwarded, in confidence, to the PSD for handling. PSD will record the complaint and begin the process. After the complaint has been recorded Once a CP Police Service Complaint Form has been received and recorded, PSD will review any allegations and determine how the complaint will be classified and if applicable, an investigator will be appointed to investigate the complaint. Informal resolution It may be determined that a complaint is suitable for Informal Resolution. Informal Resolution is a simple and flexible way to resolve a complaint. Informal Resolution will only be used if both parties agree. Formal resolution It may be determined that a complaint is suitable for Formal Resolution. Formal Resolution is an investigation into the incident, which includes interviews of witnesses, review of policies and procedures as well as an inspection of the scene and any other evidence available. How will a complainant be kept informed? A complainant will be advised of the outcome of an investigation in writing by PSD. Can a complaint be withdrawn? A complaint can only be withdrawn by the complainant. Withdrawal notices will only be accepted by PSD, if in writing, and if made by the original complainant. A withdrawal form can be requested at any time during the investigation. The Service, may continue to pursue a complaint, if it has been determined that the allegations merit investigation. What happens if a complaint cannot be proven? If there is insufficient evidence to prove a complaint, the file is closed with a classification of unfounded or unsubstantiated. If you are filing a complaint: Please complete all sections of a CP Police Service Complaint Form. After ensuring the CP Police Service Complaint Form has been signed, it can be submitted, as outlined in this brochure.
The CP Police Service must have a signed form with the details of the complaint before any information can be processed. A. COMPLAINANT DETAILS Surname: Given: Middle or Initial: Street Address: Town/City: Province/State: Postal Code/Zip Code: Telephone Number: Alternative Telephone Number: Email Address: Please Check all that apply: This matter is about the policies/procedures of the CP Police Service. This is a complaint that happened to me (the complainant). This is a complaint that happened to someone other than me. B. CP POLICE SERVICE EMPLOYEE DETAILS If your complaint is against a specific employee of the CP Police Service, please provide all details you might have about the employee involved. Employee Name (if known): Badge Number: Rank: Description or additional identifying information of employee: Page 1 of 3
C. YOUR COMPLAINT DETAILS WHERE? Where did the incident that led to your complaint happen? Please complete as much information as possible. If you do not know specific details you may wish to include details of landmarks etc. Street Address: Nearest Intersection: City, Province: Any other identifying information: WHEN? When did the incident happen? If there is more than one date, please specify when the incidents occurred below. Please note that the Service shall dismiss any complaint that is made more than six months after the conduct complained of occurred, or you first knew or ought to have known the conduct occurred. Date: (YYYY/MM/DD): Time: Date: (YYYY/MM/DD): Time: Or indicate the time period when the incident occurred: WHAT? Please describe the circumstances that led to your complaint. Please include details of: Who was involved; What was said and done; Any other people who witnessed the incident (include police officers); If there was any damage or injury; If there was something that you feel caused the incident or affected your interaction with the police; If there is any evidence to preserve (i.e. medial records, photos, surveillance video); If this happened to someone else, the name and contact information of that person; If this is about a policy/procedure, please provide sufficient information to indentify the policy/procedure. Describe incident (Please attach additional information or documents, if necessary): Page 2 of 3
D. DECLARATION I certify that the information provided on this CP Police Service Complaint Form is true. Name: Signature: Date: E. HOW TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT FORM 1. Fax a copy of the Complaint Form to: CP Police Service, Police Professional Standards Department at (403) 319-4752; or 2. Mail a copy of the Complaint Form to: CP Police Service, Bldg. 5, 7550 Ogden Dale Road SE, Calgary, Alberta T2C 4X9; or 3. Email a copy of the Complaint Form to: CP Police Service, Police Professional Standards Department at: Police_ProfessionalStandards@cppoliceservice.com; or 4. Deliver to any detachment or office of the CP Police Service. Page 3 of 3