9(l) - Misuse of the IA Complaints

DEFINITIONS

1.1 ‘PLPD’ refers to the Paralake Police Department as an entity.

1.2 'PLPD personnel' refers to any whitelisted persons involved in the activities of PLPD either directly or indirectly.

1.3 ‘Complainant’ refers to any individual submitting an IA complaint.

1.4 ‘Defendant’ refers to the individual accused or named in an IA complaint.

1.5 ‘CC’ refers to the Complaint Committee, the division responsible for reviewing and resolving IA complaints.

1.6 ’IA’ refers to Internal Affairs, the division responsible for investigating complaints involving PLPD personnel.

1.7 ‘PSD’: refers to the Office of Professional Standards, responsible for oversight of IA and CC.

1.8 'Chiefs of Department' refers to the Chief of Department and Deputy Chiefs of Department.

1.9 Misuse of the IA Complaint System: Any action that undermines the purpose of the IA complaint process.

CLASSIFICATIONS

Misuse of the IA complaint process can be classified into two categories:

2.1 Malicious Complaints: Complaints containing wilful omissions, falsifications or misrepresentation of material facts or evidence, and are motivated by personal vendetta or submitted in retaliation towards an individual. This includes complaints where the defendant has been provoked or manipulated into breaking policy, as well as the use of trimmed/edited videos, forged screenshots and dishonest, vague or distorted recounts of the events described in the complaint.

2.2 Frivolous Complaints: Complaints lacking substance or merit, submitted without regard for validity or factual basis. This includes complaints that are trivial in nature and will likely consume departmental resources unnecessarily.

RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Investigators and CC Members are expected to identify and flag any potential misuse of the IA process.

3.2 PSD and the Chiefs of Department will review the complaints suspected of  misuse and have final authority to confirm or dismiss accusations of misuse.

3.3 All PLPD personnel are subject to this policy. Misuse of the IA Complaint system will be met with disciplinary action.

3.4 Civilians found to be misusing the IA process may be blacklisted from the role of Officer at the discretion of the Chiefs of Department or Head of PSD.

PROCEDURE & DISCIPLINARY ACTION

4.1 A complaint may be flagged as misuse of the IA process if it is classified as either Malicious or Frivolous, as defined in Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

4.2 Investigators must refer any suspected use of the IA process to PSD. If such issues were not identified during the IA investigation, CC may also refer their findings to PSD for review.

4.3 If confirmed as misuse by PSD, the complaint will be closed and no disciplinary action will be taken against the defendant.

4.4 Disciplinary action for misusing the IA complaint process may include:

• Written Warning

• Demotion

• Dismissal/Blacklist

4.5 The Chiefs of Department or Head of Professional Standards may impose disciplinary action, however, the action must be proportionate to the severity and impact of the misuse.

GOOD FAITH PROTECTIONS

5.1 Complaints submitted in good faith, even if ultimately unsubstantiated, will not result in action against the complainant.

5.2 Complaints with both valid and problematic components may be partially pursued. Investigators may address legitimate concerns while disregarding malicious or frivolous portions at their discretion.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy takes effect immediately upon approval and applies to all IA complaints submitted on or after this date.

Policy Approved & Released - 9th of February 2025