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1. Who can make a complaint?

The person who believes that an employee has wronged them, and persons who observe an employee guilty of wrongdoing may file a complaint. Other persons may give statements as witnesses in support of another person's complaint.

2. How is a complaint made?

When a citizen has a complaint against a Police Department employee, they may contact any Police Department supervisor, who will forward the complaint to the appropriate person. Complaints that are relatively minor in nature will be directed to the employee's immediate supervisor. Allegations of serious misconduct will be forwarded to the Police Chief. A citizen may contact the Police Chief directly regarding any complaint.

The Texas Government Code requires that all complaints against police officers that may result in disciplinary action be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. Complaints of misconduct that are less serious in nature need not be in writing. Complaints must be made within 30 days of the incident unless special circumstances exist. The Princeton Police Department takes all complaints seriously and will investigate each complaint received.

Forms & Documents

• Affidavit of Fact (PDF)
• Complaint Against Officer Form (PDF)
• Complaint Report (PDF)
  

3. What happens when a complaint is upheld?

When an investigation finds that the charges against a police employee are true, the Police Chief notifies the employee and may take one of the predetermined actions:

• Reprimand the employee verbally or in writing
• Suspend the employee without pay
• Demote the employee
• Discharge the employee

Employees can appeal the Department's decision to uphold a complaint and the decision to discipline an employee.

4. 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 employee acted improperly, the employee and the citizen will both be notified in writing.

5. What if you are not satisfied with the outcome?

You may appeal the findings of the internal or supervisory investigation to either:

• The Office of the Police Chief
  Princeton Police Department
  306 Main Street
  Princeton, TX 75407
  Phone: 972-736-3901
• The Office of the City Administrator
  City of Princeton
  123 W Princeton Drive
  Princeton, TX 75407
  Phone: 972-736-2416