Procedure
The UC Santa Barbara Police Department welcomes all comments about its service or personnel. A letter of appreciation for a job well done, fosters pride among our employees and boosts morale in a job where we tend to hear more about the bad things we are perceived to have done, instead of the good things not everyone sees us doing.
If your commendation/complaint involves a Police Officer or other UC Santa Barbara Police Department employee, you will be asked to provide his/her name. If you do not have this information, explain what happened and when it occurred (i.e. date, time, and location of the incident). While you may submit this form anonymously, we highly encourage you to provide your name, phone number or email so we may follow up with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a complaint?
There are four ways you can submit an Employee Commendation/Complaint to the UC Santa Barbara Police Department:
1) Online: For your convenience, an online Employee Commendation/Complaint form is available below.
2) In Person: At the Campus Police station. (Public Safety Bldg 574, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106)
3) By Telephone: Contact the Patrol Watch Commander at (805) 893-3446.
4) Send a letter, fax, or email, describing your incident, to the UC Santa Barbara Police Department (Address the communication to Lt. Bowman or Chief Brock)
Mail: Public Safety Bldg 574, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106
FAX: (805) 893-8569
E-Mail (Lt. Matt Bowman - Matt.Bowman@police.ucsb.edu or Chief James Brock - James.Brock@police.ucsb.edu
How are complaints investigated?
In most instances, complaints are investigated by a sworn UCSB Police supervisor of rank greater than the accused or involved employee(s). If a conflict of interest arises, or the nature of the complaint could be considered to be egregious, a private firm may be contracted to investigate the complaint.
Will I be contacted?
The UCSB Police Department will contact each person who makes a complaint by either phone or email. However, those who chose to submit anonymously may or may not be contacted.
Disposition of my commendation or complaint?
Your commendation will be forwarded to the employee and to their supervisor. A copy of the commendation will be placed in the employee’s personnel file.
All complaints will be brought to the attention of the Chief of Police, who will then designate a Lieutenant to coordinate an investigation into the complaint, including notification of the employee, in accordance with the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights.
Each allegation shall be classified with one of the following dispositions:
Unfounded - When the investigation discloses that the alleged act(s) did not occur or did not involve department personnel. Complaints which are determined to be frivolous will fall within the classification of unfounded (Penal Code § 832.5(c)).
Exonerated - When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred, but that the act was justified, lawful and/or proper.
Not Sustained - When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the employee.
Sustained - When the investigation discloses sufficient evidence to establish that the act occurred and that it constituted misconduct.
Available information regarding my complaint?
Questions, concerns, or additional information regarding your complaint should be directed to Chief James S. Brock (James.brock@police.ucsb.edu)
CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONNEL FILES:
All investigations of UCSB Police personnel complaints, whether originating from a citizen or internally, shall be considered confidential peace officer personnel files. The contents of such files shall not be revealed to anyone other than the involved employee or authorized personnel except pursuant to lawful process.
In the event that an accused employee (or the representative of such employee) knowingly makes false representations regarding any internal investigation and such false representations are communicated to any media source, the Department may disclose sufficient information from the employee's personnel file to refute such false representations (Penal Code § 832.5).
All sustained citizen's complaints shall be maintained for a period of at least five years (Penal Code § 832.5). All internally initiated complaints shall be maintained at least two years (Government Code § 34090 et seq.). Sustained complaints shall be maintained in the employee's personnel file. Complaints which are unfounded, exonerated or not sustained shall be maintained by the Internal Affairs Unit apart from the employee's personnel file.