How to File a Complaint

A MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF

Dear Citizens,

The administration of law and order is based upon the ideals of justice and fairness for our diverse community. All citizens and visitors -including those suspected of crimes - will be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness.

We at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office are responsible for our actions. Thus, we expect our officers to exercise self-restraint in times of crisis and we expect our enforcement actions to adhere to the facts at hand.

We encourage both positive and negative citizen feedback to assist us in our goal of providing the best law enforcement service possible to the citizens of our community.

We hope the following information aids you in reporting any rudeness, misconduct, racial profiling, criminal conduct, or any other inappropriate behavior on the part of any member of our office. You have my personal word that all complaints will be fully investigated with the goal of a fair and equitable outcome for all.

A COMMITMENT TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office makes a commitment to its citizens regarding the following:

• The Sheriff’s Office shall accept complaints from any person based on rudeness, misconduct, a belief that he or she has been stopped or searched based on racial, ethnic or national origin profiling, any criminal conduct, or any other inappropriate behavior on the part of our employees.               

• No person shall be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing a complaint, nor discriminated against because he or she filed such a complaint.

• Any employee who receives a complaint,including the employee who initiated the action, shall record the person’s name,address and telephone number, and forward the complaint through the appropriate channel or direct the individual to a supervisory officer. The employee will report any complaint to their superior before the end of their shift.

• The investigation of a complaint shall be conducted in a thorough and timely manner.

• If a complaint is sustained against a deputy, it will result in appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Once an individual has filed a complaint, he or she should expect the following process to commence:

• A supervisor (sergeant or higher) will interview the individual filing the complaint and ask what happened. The supervisor may be able to explain the employee’s actions to your satisfaction.

• The complainant will be asked to put his or her complaint in writing per state law.

• If a statement from the person filing the complaint is necessary, the complainant will be interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office and a written or videotaped statement will be obtained.

• The individual filing the complaint may bring a lawyer, family member or friend to the interview.

• The supervisor will ask the complainant for the names or witnesses or other law enforcement officers that may know facts about the complaint.

• Photographs may be taken of any injuries that the alleged victim thinks are related to the complaint.

• After the interview, investigators assigned by the Chief Deputy will conduct an investigation, including an interview of the accused employee and all relevant witnesses involved, if the witnesses agree to participate.

THE FINDINGS 

The results of your complaint are called “findings.” There are four possible findings:

1. Sustained - The complaint has been supported. The deputy involved acted improperly and may be disciplined.
2. Unfounded - No truth to the allegations.
3. Exonerated - The deputy involved acted properly and will not be disciplined, or
4. Not sustained - There was not enough evidence to prove the complaint true or false so no further action will be taken.

The Sheriff reviews the results of all investigations and makes the final decision on all complaints. The alleged victim will also be informed of the final decision through an official letter.

If you have a complaint regarding the actions of any Kendall County Sheriff employee:

Contact Us

Kendall County Sheriff's Office

6 Staudt St., Boerne, TX, 78006

(830) 249-9721