If an officer uses force, he must report it immediately to his immediate supervisor. The supervisor then launches an investigation and a report that ultimately must be seen and signed by a district commander. A further review is conducted by the inspections unit.
Some cases are referred to internal investigations. The internal unit also investigates cases stemming from citizen complaints and those referred to it by the city's Office of Contract Compliance and Investigations.
If the internal unit concludes that any allegations against an officer are true, it labels them as "sustained" and recommends a predisciplinary hearing for the officer. If the investigation concludes that the allegations were untrue, but that other irregularities were found, a finding of "sustained-other" will be made.
A finding of "exonerated" means the officer did what was alleged, but the action was within department standards.
At the predisciplinary hearing, the hearing officer is picked from a rotating group of police department captains. Typically, an officer will not have his case heard by the captain from his/her district.
The hearing officer can uphold the investigation's findings, or overrule them.
All determinations by the hearing officer are reviewed by the police chief.
Today's coverage
Force often used in custody GIF (133K)
Process for investigating use of force STORY
Police: Tough job, many critics STORY
Mistaken identities but no apologies STORY
Case stories STORY
Monday
City's watchdog barks but doesn't bite.
Tuesday
Experts suggest
solutions.
Making of the series
1,400 cases reviewed STORY
Police response STORY
