Compliment Process
If you would like to send a compliment to us for an officer or other employee of the Marion Police Department, send us an email at contact@marionohio.org. You can also send us a private message on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/marionpd.
Complaint Process
The Marion Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service provided by the Department and the conduct of its members. The Department will accept and address all complaints of misconduct in accordance with policy and applicable federal, state and local law, municipal rules and the requirements of any collective bargaining agreements.
It is also the policy of this department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without concern for reprisal or retaliation.
If you wish to file a complaint against a member of the Marion Police Department and the complaint is of a minor nature, the supervisor will ask some questions about the conduct or demeanor that led to the complaint. In many instances, a complaint can be handled informally. A complaint may originate because of a misunderstanding about our department’s function, its policies and procedures, or the duties and responsibilities of its members. Quite often, if a potential complainant asks some questions about our procedures or inquiries about the reason some particular action was taken, it is possible for a supervisor to provide a very adequate explanation.
If your questions or concerns cannot be resolved in an informal manner, you have the right to make a formal complaint.
Formal complaint forms will be made available to anyone making a request. Forms are available online or from any supervisor. Only department supervisors may accept complaint forms; non-supervisory personnel cannot take complaints nor accept completed complaint forms.
A formal complaint will be investigated by a supervisor who will also personally talk to the member in question. Complaints will be fully investigated, allowing both sides to represent their view of the circumstances.
If the formal complaint may be of a major nature, such as a complaint which could lead to suspension, reduction of rank, or termination of a member or particularly if the complaint is of a criminal nature, you will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number in order for the Major in charge of Internal Affairs to become involved in the investigation. This procedure is required to protect your rights and the rights of the employee and to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted. If serious charges are brought against a member or against the Marion Police Department, we want to ensure that the investigation is handled in such a manner that all rules of evidence are followed, that interviews and/or interrogations are handled correctly, and that no shred of evidence is lost due to improper handling of the case.
Anonymous and third-party complaints are accepted and investigated to the extent that sufficient information is provided. While we cannot demand that you provide your information, it is very difficult for to fully investigate a complaint against a member if we cannot contact you later to confirm details and to keep you informed of the status or outcome of the investigation. When any anonymous complaint is made against an employee and if after an investigation there is no corroborative evidence of any kind, the complaint will be classified as unfounded.
Attached to this form is a copy of our agency’s complaint form so that you may become acquainted with some of the information that we would require. Again, if a complaint potentially involves a criminal activity, we will investigate the actions of the member at the level of a criminal investigation and will document these actions on forms that are used for the reporting of criminal offenses.
Your patience in dealing with the investigation of complaints is appreciated. Certain contractual issues limit the amount of time that we can spend on any phase of the complaint process or the investigation. We will try to resolve the complaint as soon as possible, while trying to safeguard your rights and the rights of the member.
Note – Knowingly making false allegations of misconduct by a Peace Officer is a violation of Ohio Revised Code 2921.15 and is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
General Information
Individuals in the public or any department member can make a complaint.
The complainant should speak to a supervisor prior to taking any action. In many instances, a complaint can be handled informally. A complaint may originate because of a misunderstanding about our department’s function, its policies and procedures, or the duties and responsibilities of its members. Quite often, if a potential complainant asks some questions about our procedures or inquiries about the reason some particular action was taken, it is possible for a supervisor to provide a very adequate explanation.
Complaint forms will be made available to anyone making a request. Forms are available online or from any supervisor. Only department supervisors may accept complaint forms; non-supervisory personnel cannot take complaints nor accept completed complaint forms.
Although not required, complainants are encouraged to file complaints in person so that proper identification, signatures, photographs or physical evidence may be obtained as necessary.
Informal – A matter in which the appropriate action has been taken by a supervisor of rank greater than the accused member.
Formal – A matter in which a supervisor determines that further action is warranted. Such complaints may be investigated by a supervisor of rank greater than the accused member or referred to the Operations Major, depending on the seriousness and complexity of the investigation.
Incomplete – A matter in which the complaining party either refuses to cooperate or becomes unavailable after diligent follow-up investigation. At the discretion of the assigned supervisor or the Operations Major, such matters may be further investigated depending on the seriousness of the complaint and the availability of sufficient information.
Unfounded – When the investigation discloses that the alleged acts did not occur or did not involve department members. Complaints that are determined to be frivolous will fall within the classification of unfounded.
Proper Conduct – When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred but that the act was justified, lawful and/or proper.
Insufficient Evidence – When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the member.
Improper Conduct – When the investigation discloses sufficient evidence to establish that the act occurred and that it constituted misconduct.
Counseling – First level of documented personnel action. This type of action shall have a six month administrative effect on the member, if no other violations occur within this time period.
Written Reprimand – Second level of documented personnel action. This type of action shall have a one year administrative effect on the member, if no other violations occur within this time period.
Suspension – Short term and Long Term. This next level of personnel action shall have a two year administrative effect on the member, if no other violations occur within this time period.
Reduction in Rank – This level of personnel action shall have a reduction in rank or pay grade. Records of this type of personnel action are permanent.
Termination – This is the final level of administrative personnel action. Termination and the records associated with it cause shall be maintained as part of the member’s personnel file.
The City may take corrective action deemed necessary by the circumstances on a case-by-case basis and depending on the severity of the improper conduct.
Timelines for investigations of complaints to be completed are set by the employee’s contract. Generally, all investigations, except those concerning criminal charges, are completed within thirty-five (35) days from the filing of the complaint. If both parties agree, the total time may be extended to forty-five (45) days.
Normally, the Operations Major will notify the complainant of the disposition.