You have the right to make a complaint against a Police Officer for any improper police conduct California law requires this agency to have a procedure to investigate citizens’ complaints. You have a right to a written description of this procedure. This agency may find after investigation that there is not enough evidence to warrant action on your complaint; even if that is the case, you have the right to make the complaint and have it investigated if you believe the officer behaved improperly. Citizen complaints and any reports of findings relating to complaints must be retained by this agency for at least five (5) years.

A relationship of trust and confidence between the police and the community is essential for effective law enforcement and community support Police officers must be able to exercise their best judgment and to initiate law enforcement action in a reasonable, impartial, and lawful manner. At the same time, police officers have a special obligation and trust to respect the rights of all persons. The members of the Soledad Police Department acknowledge their responsibility to establish a system of complaint and disciplinary procedures that not only subject them to corrective action when they engage in misconduct, but also will protect them from unwarranted or unjustified criticism when they discharge their duties properly and in accordance with policy, procedures, and/or the law. It is the purpose of these procedures to provide a prompt, just, open impartial, and expeditious disposition of complaints regarding the conduct of members of the Department.

The Soledad Police Department is receptive to comments, commendations, constructive criticism, and valid complaints regarding the conduct of its members and its procedures.