How to file a Compliment or a Complaint on Police Department Personnel
HOW ARE COMPLAINTS FILED?
Any person wishing to file a complaint may do so at the Brownsville Police Department located at 600 E. Jackson St. Brownsville, TX, 24-hours a day, to any department supervisor. Complaints can also be filed with a supervisor at the Southmost Community Network Center located at 2900 Southmost Rd. or at the Brownsville Police Department Training Center located at 1763 US HWY 281 Brownsville, TX between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
TEXAS STATE LAW (Government Code 614.022) requires that all complaints against police officers be in writing and signed by the person filing the complaint. Just as citizens who are arrested must be notified of the charges against them, police officers must be given copies of complaints before any disciplinary action may be taken. The person who claims to be aggrieved must file the complaint.
Other person(s) involved in the incident may give statements as a witness.
Traffic tickets issued or differences of opinion between police officers and citizens over the issuance of traffic tickets for the guilt or innocence of persons arrested will not be investigated unless there is specific allegation of misconduct against a member(s) of the department.
The Brownsville Police Department prohibits its officers from engaging in racial profiling. A person wishing to file a complaint regarding alleged racial profiling by a Brownsville Police Officer, should follow the complaint process outlined in this document.
FALSE COMPLAINTS
People who intentionally file false complaints or allegations against police officers violate Chapter 37 of the Texas Penal Code. Texas law provides punishment for an individual adjudged guilty of committing an offense if, with intent to deceive and with knowledge of the statements meaning, he / she makes a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made; and, the statement is required or authorized by law to be made under oath.
A person who commits an offense under this section can be charged with offenses ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Felony of the Third Degree. Punishments can range from confinement of 180 days in jail to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
This information is not intended to intimidate the complainant or any witness, but is provided to avoid retaliation against police officers or departmental staff.
OFFICER CAN APPEAL THE DECISION
Just as citizens charged with criminal offenses can appeal a court’s decision, police employees are afforded the right to appeal the actions taken against them. The City of Brownsville has established procedures for employees to follow in their appeals, just as the police department has established procedures for ensuring that complaints by citizens against police employees are thoroughly and impartially investigated.
WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DECISION?
If you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation by the department, you may appeal to:
Brownsville Police Department 600 E. Jackson St. Brownsville, Texas 78520;
The Office of the City Manager, located in City Hall, 1001 E. Elizabeth St. Brownsville, Texas 78520;
At the Cameron County Courthouse 964 E. Harrison St. Brownsville, Texas 78520; or
Federal Bureau of Investigation located at 2305 Hudson Blvd. Brownsville, Texas 78521
The Brownsville Police Department is vitally concerned with the welfare of all residents and visitors to Brownsville. The police department will take action where employees have been proven derelict in their duties or are guilty of wrongdoing.
HOW ARE COMPLIMENTS FILED?
Likewise, if you have an occasion to see an employee doing outstanding work, tell the employee or a police supervisor. Your may also visit our website to submit a compliment via email or write a letter and mail it to us. Your Brownsville Police Department is made up of individuals who are dedicated to serving you and our community.
-The Brownsville Police Department is dedicated to providing the best police service possible to the residents and visitors of Brownsville. Police employees are carefully selected and given the best training possible in order to provide professional service. However, you may have an occasion to file a compliment or complaint in reference to the actions of a member of the Brownsville Police Department. In order to be responsive to you, we provide the above information about how compliments and complaints may be filed. Below you may file a compliment or complaint that will be sent to the Brownsville Police Department via email.
To Submit a Compliment or Complaint Click the button below: