The Beaumont Police Department is dedicated to providing the best police service possible to all citizens. Employees are carefully selected and trained to provide service to the community. This brochure gives an overview of the ways to commend exemplary performance or file a complaint against a Police Department employee.

COMPLAINTS ■How to make a complaint.      When a citizen has a complaint against a Police Officer, the complaint is directed to the department’s Internal Affairs Office, located at the Beaumont Police Department, 255 College St., in Beaumont, (409)880-3805. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the office is closed, you may still file a complaint with any Police Department supervisor, who will then forward your report.      Texas Law requires that all complaints against police officers be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. Complaints must be made within 30 days of the incident unless special circumstances exist. The person who was wronged must file the complaint; other persons may give statements as witnesses. Internal Affairs Investigators will ensure that a thorough investigation of your complaint is conducted. Just as citizens who are arrested must be told of the charges against them, the police officer must be given a copy of the complaint before any disciplinary action is taken. When the investigation is completed, you will be notified of the results.      Complaints against civilian employees of the Beaumont Police Department should be made with that employee’s immediate supervisor. Citizens may call (409)880-3801 to be directed to the appropriate supervisor. ■False complaints.      Filing a false complaint against a police officer is a violation of the Texas Penal Code, Section 37.02. If a person knowingly and intentionally makes a false statement under oath, or swears to the truth of a false

be found guilty and punished by a fine of up to $4,000, confinement in a jail up to one year, or by both fine and imprisonment. ■What happens when a complaint is upheld?      When the investigation finds that the charges against a police officer are true, the Chief of Police notifies the officer and may take one of the following actions: (1) reprimand the officer verbally or in writing; (2) suspend the officer without pay; (3) demote the officer; or (4) discharge the officer. Police officers may appeal the department’s decision to uphold a complaint and the decision to discipline. ■What happens when a complaint is not upheld?      Complaints must be supported by sufficient evidence. When the investigation cannot find the degree of evidence necessary to prove the officer acted improperly, the officer and the citizen are both notified in writing. ■What if you are not satisfied with the outcome?      You may appeal the findings of the Internal Affairs or supervisory investigation to: Chief of Police Beaumont Police Department P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont, TX 77704 (409)880-3801 ■Racial Profiling Complaints      CCP Art. 2.132 Law Enforcement Policy on Racial Profiling requires the department to provide public education on the racial profiling complaint process. For the Beaumont Police Department, the process is the same as the department’s complaint process, as described in this brochure.