Personnel Complaint

Please Read First

In general, we believe deputy sheriffs work in cooperation with citizens and that our contacts with citizens are positive. To insure that we function efficiently, while maintaining the rights of the citizens we protect, deputies are trained to follow a series of Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures and work within the guidelines of local, state, and federal laws. Because of the nature of law enforcement, we also understand that citizens on occasion may object to the police actions taken by deputies, or may feel their conduct is inappropriate. Therefore, we have established procedures for citizens to report their concerns to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office.

We consider a complaint to be an allegation from any source regarding circumstance(s) of a specific act or omission by a Sheriff’s Office employee which, if later proven to be true, would be misconduct and would normally subject the employee to the progressive disciplinary process or a citizen’s expression of dissatisfaction with an agency policy, procedure, philosophy, service level or legal standard of the Sheriff’s Office. However, we do not consider a disagreement over the elements of a traffic citation to be a complaint. Any disputes over traffic citations received should be taken to the appropriate jurisdictional court for resolution.

As a citizen, you are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office if you have a complaint about the actions of a deputy sheriff or non-sworn employee if you believe their conduct was inappropriate or that they have violated the law. Although we encourage citizens to report police misconduct, complaints must be made in good faith. False or highly exaggerated complaints serve no good purpose for either the citizens or the deputy and only tend to thwart our complaint investigation process. Anyone who willfully makes any false accusation for the purpose of discrediting a deputy sheriff may be prosecuted under Utah State Criminal Code 76-8-504.5 for a Class A misdemeanor.

To initiate a complaint, you may contact a supervisor Monday through Friday, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., by calling (435) 867-7500 or (435) 867-7503. After hours and on weekends, you may contact our Dispatch Center by calling (435) 867-7550 and request assistance from an on duty law enforcement supervisor. You will be asked to provide a written statement regarding the nature of your complaint with as much detail concerning the incident and why you believe the deputy’s conduct was inappropriate.

You may also use the online form below to submit a complaint.

How The Complaint Process Works

Every official citizen complaint is reviewed by the Chief Deputy. If the complaint is of conduct that would violate Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures or laws, an investigation will be authorized by the Sheriff and conducted. Investigators will interview the concerned parties and witnesses, record their statements, and gather other relevant data. The completed investigation will be forwarded to the Chief Deputy, who reviews the investigation, and then forwards the completed investigative report file to the Sheriff with a recommendation of one of the following dispositions:

• Substantiated: The investigation established that misconduct occurred.
• Not Substantiated: The investigation failed to produce sufficient evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegation.
• Exonerated: The allegation did occur, but that it was justified, legal and proper.
• Unfounded: The allegation did not occur.
• Misconduct Other Than Allegation: Misconduct occurred, but was not a part of the original complaint.
• Policy Review: The allegation occurred and was in compliance with Sheriff’s Office Policy or policy did not exist. However, it is also determined that the allegation of misconduct could have been prevented had policy been more clear or complete.

Upon the completion of an Internal Affairs Investigation, the Chief Deputy or another supervisor will notify the complainant in writing, if the investigation is closed or the status of the complaint and their further right to appeal the decision to the Sheriff.

Complaint/Allegation Form

Your Information

1. Name(required)
2. Address(valid email required)
3. City(required)
4. State(required)
5. Zip Code(required)
6. Phone(required)

Complaint/Allegation Information

1. Employee's Name(required)
2. Summary of Complaint(required)
3. Location of Occurrence(required)
4. Date of Occurrence
5. Time of Occurrence

Witness Information

1. (if any other then yourself)
2. Name
3. Address
4. City
5. State
6. Zip Code
7. Phone

Disclaimer

1. Notice: Pursuant to Section 76-8-504.5, Utah Code Annotated, 1953 as amended, you are notified thatstatements you are about to make may be presented to a magistrate or judge in lieu of your sworntestimony at a preliminary examination. Any false statement you make and that you do not believe to betrue may subject you to criminal punishment as a Class A Misdemeanor.
2. I have read and understand the above disclaimer
3. Captcha

 

Downloadable Form (pdf)