Citizen Complaints

According to California State law, you have the right to make a complaint against a peace officer for improper police conduct. California law  Requires to investigate community complaints.  You have a right to a written description of this procedure.  This agency may find after investigation that there is not enough evidence to warrant action on your complaint.  Even if that is the case, you have the  right to make the complaint and have it investigated if you believe an employee behaved improperly.  Complaints and any reports of findings relating to complaints must be retained by this agency for at least five years.

How to make a complaint.  You may make a complaint in person or by calling or writing to the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department.  If you write your complaint, it does not have to be on a special form.  When you make a complaint in person, please ask to speak to a supervisor who can assist you. 

If you chose to file a complaint by using a complaint Form, the forms are available at the The San Luis Obispo Probation Department.  At a minimum, your complaint should include important facts, such as where the incident occurred, date and time of occurrence, and the name(s) of the involved employee(s), if known.

What happens after the complaint is made?  A department supervisor will investigate your complaint. You will be notified and provided with a citizen complaint number for future reference.  The Chief of the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department will make the final determination on the outcome of the case including discipline if warranted.  You will be notified in writing of the outcome of the findings.  We ask your patience, as the process is lengthy but necessary to ensure fairness and thoroughness.  

What if you don't like the outcome of the investigation? Your reply letter will explain the general findings of the investigation and whether any discipline was imposed. Discipline can vary in severity and is not appropriate for every incident.      Citizen Notification: Pursuant to Section 832.7(e)(1) of the Penal Code, written notification of the disposition of the complaint will be mailed to you within 30 days of completing an investigation. 

Citizen Complaint Form

 

Complaint Process

Complaints can be mailed or delivered in person to the following address:

San Luis Obispo County Probation Department

Attn: Robert B. Reyes, Chief Probation Officer

1730 Bishop Street

San Luis Obispo, California 93401

(805) 781-5370

 

 Complaints can be emailed to [email protected]

 If you would like to notify us of a formal complaint, please use this link to the Citizen's Complaint Form.

Related Forms & Documents

Citizen Complain Form