The internal affairs section of the Takoma Park Police Department investigated 13 complaints in 2021, down from 24 complaints the year before, according to a summary report.
According to the report, the police department had 10,346 contacts with the public, which included calls for service and traffic stops. The number of complaints received amounted to 0.0013% of the contacts.
Three of those complaints came from community members, and an employee, the chief of police, or the command staff submitted 10 internally. The complaints involved nine officers (some of whom were part of more than one complaint) and two civilian employees.
“Eleven out of the 13 complaints resulted in sustained findings of improper conduct, and disciplinary measures were warranted and taken,” a community advisory reads. “One complaint was unfounded and one complaint resulted in the employee resigning while under investigation.”
The disciplinary actions taken included seven written reprimands, two suspensions from duty without pay and one demotion. One complaint is still under investigation.
The department also received two compliments to thank officers for the way they handled a call for service.
Complaints and compliments can be submitted online to the department.
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