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File an Online Compliment

Complaints and Compliments

Your valid complaints and criticisms help us to protect the community from possible misconduct by police employees. At the same time, a thorough and impartial investigation procedure helps protect police employees from unwarranted charges when they perform their duties properly.

Things to Remember

You need not be a part of an incident to make a complaint.
You do not have to know any of the persons involved.
You may make a complaint as a witness to an incident.
If you believe you have a valid complaint, constructive criticism, or police personnel have conducted themselves improperly...you can report it.
Our goal is to give you the best possible police service and quality of personnel.

Filing a Complaint, or Making a Compliment

A compliment or complaint may be made orally or in writing at any time of the day or night to any police supervisory personnel. Usually, an explanation of the situation in person, by telephone, or by mail is all that is needed to initiate a review or investigation of the matter. If you call or come to the Police Department, you will be referred to an on-duty supervisor.

Phone:

Monday through Friday 6:30 am. to 5:30 p.m. call (510) 790-6800, then dial "0" to speak to a Records Clerk and request the Watch Commander.
The Police Department lobby is open to the public Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and closed on City-observed holidays.
Weekends and after hours call (510) 790-6800, then dial "3" to speak to a dispatcher and request the Watch Commander.

Using a written form:

Our police complaint, or compliment form is available in seven (7) languages. You may wish to complete this form, and either drop off, mail, or email to the police department:

Write:

Chief of Police
Fremont Police Department
2000 Stevenson Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94537

Email:

InternalAffairs@fremont.gov

Online:

Compliments may also be submitted online

When making a complaint, please try to include as much of the following information as possible, such as employee(s) name, badge number, and/or vehicle number. If you do not have this information, simply explain what happened by providing the date, time, and location of the incident.

Interview Process for Complaints

If you are involved in, or witnessed the incident, it is extremely important to the investigation that you provide a statement. Your statement may be recorded, and in some cases, will be included as part of the complaint. During the initial interview, the supervisor may be able to explain the employee's actions to your satisfaction.

During the interview, the following may occur:

The supervisor may be able to explain what happened.
The complaint may be issued a case number.
The complaint may be assigned to a supervisor or Internal Affairs.
With your knowledge, you may be voice recorded or videotaped.
You will be asked for names of witnesses that may know facts about your complaint.

Complaint Classification

After a thorough investigation, your complaint will be classified with one of the following dispositions:

Sustained: The allegation is shown to be true.
Not Sustained: The allegation can neither be proved nor disproved and no further action is to be considered.
Unfounded: The allegation has no basis of fact, or has been disproved through the investigation.
Exonerated: Action complained of did occur, but was lawful, justified, and appropriate under the circumstances in this case.

Investigation Information

If it is determined, as a result of the investigation, that the actions of police personnel were improper or illegal, the personnel involved will be disciplined pursuant to established procedures of the department and city, and/or the case may be referred to the District Attorney for possible criminal action.

Within 15 days after completion of the investigation, you will be notified either by telephone or by mail of the disposition or status of your complaint, unless you tell us such notification is not desired.

Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 823.8, you will not receive any information regarding disciplinary, or corrective actions imposed on the employee resulting from the investigation. By law, this information is deemed confidential and may not be disclosed.

Contact

The Office of Internal Affairs/Professional Standards & Accountability is led by:

Sergeant Darryl Manrique

If you are not satisfied with the disposition in the matter, you may contact the Office of the Chief of Police or the following agencies:

District Attorney's Office
39439 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (510) 795-2500

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
22320 Foothill Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94550
Phone: (510) 886-7447

FAQs

How to submit a compliment or complaint?

View our Compliment & Complaint Procedure.
What is a complaint?

A complaint is any dissatisfaction, grievance, accusation, or allegation, which if true will adversely affect the department's efficiency and its relationship with you, the public.
What is a concern?

You may have had contact with a Police Department employee where their conduct or actions, in your opinion, did not rise to the level of a formal complaint. You may feel a need to discuss the employee's behavior with us, but do not want any further involvement with the matter.
What is a procedural question?

There are times when the actions of an employee may appear to be inappropriate, but are procedurally and legally correct. This happens sometimes with issues of search and seizure, or self-incrimination warnings (miranda admonitions). We invite you to ask these types of questions, and we will seek to respond quickly to your inquiry. Usually, this can be done by the supervisor or watch commander.
Who may make a complaint?

Any person who witnessed an incident, who feels the Police Department treated him or her in an adverse manner, or has direct or well founded knowledge of inappropriate actions by any police employee, may make a complaint.
Why is your complaint important?

The City of Fremont, and your Police Department, prides itself on being responsive to the needs and concerns of all citizens and guests of our community. Compliments, complaints, and criticisms of our services are accepted as meaningful indications of the job we are doing, and provide us with the information necessary to serve you better.

While we strive to provide service of the highest quality, we realize that with our high volume of public contact, coupled with the nature of our task, not everyone may be completely satisfied. Additionally, not all people will clearly understand the reasons for actions taken by police employees. However, we also recognize that many citizens will be grateful for the service provided and look for a way to express their gratitude.

The information presented is designed to help all members of the community have a better understanding of the process of complimenting an employee, or filing a complaint. Additionally, the page will explain what the Police Department will do to investigate your complaint.

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