File a Commendation or Complaint

KDPS strives to achieve the best service to our community we possibly can. In an effort to maintain trust with the community we serve and maintain transparency, we encourage you to share feedback, whether positive or negative. 

If you were not satisfied with the way a Public Safety employee handled a situation, please click on the “File a Complaint” tab below. If you wish to report outstanding service that was provided to you or that you witnessed, please click on the “File a Commendation” link below.

All complaints against the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and/or its’ employees shall be investigated thoroughly by the Office of Professional Standards and the complainant will be notified of the findings of the departments investigation.

File a Commendation

Step 1.Identify the people involved

When filing your commendation, we will need to know each person involved. Make sure you are able to provide as much information as possible, like names, badge numbers, and any other information that can help us identify the employees or officers involved. We will also ask you the names of any witnesses to the incident in question.

Step 2.Prepare a description of your incident

We will also ask for a detailed description of the incident. Any information you can provide will help the investigation. There is space for this in the form, but you can attach additional pages or documents to support your commendation if necessary.

Step 3.Choose the best way to file

You can file a commendation online, by phone, or in person. 

Online

File a Commendation Online

In Person

You can file a commendation in-person at KDPS Headquarters or with a supervisor at any KDPS station during business hours.

By Phone

To file a commendation by phone, you can contact either:

  • Shift Commander's Office - (269) 337-8140
  • Office of Professional Standards - (269) 337-8270
By Mail

You can also print and complete the PDF form and return to any KDPS Station or by mail to the address listed above. 

Commendation or Complaint Form(PDF, 528KB)

Step 4.Review of Commendation

The Office of Professional Standards reviews each commendation and shares them with KDPS leadership. This type of feedback helps us recognize officers that are doing and outstanding job and and creates an example for the outstanding "above and beyond" type service that we are striving to achieve with every interaction. 

File a Complaint

Step 1.Identify the people involved

When filing your complaint, we will need to know each person involved. Make sure you are able to provide as much information as possible, like names, badge numbers, and any other information that can help us identify the employees or officers involved. We will also ask you the names of any witnesses to the incident in question.

Step 2.Prepare a description of your incident

We will also ask for a detailed description of the incident. Any information you can provide will help the investigation. There is space for this in the complaint form, but you can attach additional pages or documents to support your complaint if necessary.

Step 3.Choose the best way to file

You can file a complaint online, by phone, or in person. 

Online

File a Complaint Online

In Person

You can file a complaint in-person at KDPS Headquarters or with a supervisor at any KDPS station during business hours.

By Phone

To file a complaint by phone, you can contact either:

  • Shift Commander's Office - (269) 337-8140
  • Office of Professional Standards - (269) 337-8270
By Mail

You can also print and complete the PDF form and return to any KDPS Station or by mail to the address listed above. 

Commendation or Complaint Form(PDF, 528KB)

Step 4.Investigation of Incident

Most complaints can be resolved by speaking with a supervisor who can provide additional information or context to the incident. However if this does not occur, the Office of Professional Standards will complete an in-depth and thorough investigation. Such an investigation may include the interviewing of all complainants, witnesses and involved employees. The Office of Professional Standards shall complete its’ investigation within 45 days of the filing of a complaint. In the event that this time period is not sufficient to complete the investigation, the Inspector assigned to the investigation shall contact the complainant and provide them with an estimated completion date based on the status of the investigation.

Step 5.Determination of investigation

Upon conclusion of the investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, the investigation and its’ findings shall be forwarded to the Chief of Public Safety for final determination. The Office of Professional Standards shall provide written notice to both the complainant and the employee of the final disposition of the investigation and provide each with an opportunity to discuss the disposition.

  • SUSTAINED: there was sufficient evidence to clearly prove the allegations.
  • NOT SUSTAINED: the investigation failed to prove or disprove misconduct or improper job performance.
  • UNFOUNDED: The investigation indicates that the act or allegations did not occur, or failed to involve a department employee
  • EXONERATED: The acts or allegations did occur, but were justified and proper.
  • MISCONDUCT NOT BASED ON COMPLAINT: meaning the investigation uncovered improper job performance apart from your complaint.
  • EXCEPTIONALLY CLEARED: The complainant failed to cooperate with the investigation or did not provide information that would sustain an investigation

Step 6.Option to appeal complaint

Should the complainant disagree with the investigation or the Chief’s final disposition, he or she may file an appeal with the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeals Board (CSPRAB). Instructions for filing an appeal of the investigations findings shall be included in the written notice to the complainant. The appeal must be filed within 15 business days of receiving the written notification.