File a Commendation/Complaint

Considering making a commendation or a complaint toward one of our police staff?  Here are some things to consider.

Feedback is important to any organization - employees and supervisors thrive on knowing how they are doing.  Public servants are human and can make mistakes, especially when they are in a stressful situation. Receiving constructive criticism and notes of thanks are equally critical to success at serving citizens with respect and excellent customer service. Knowing how we are doing - the good and the bad - helps us all improve and thrive.

While it is not always easy to hear, we view negative feedback as constructive and essential to maintaining our ethical organization and serving the public.  No member of our Police Department shows up to work with the intent of providing poor service, but it happens. When it does happen, we want and need to know about it.

If you would like to either commend an officer or complain about an officer, please take a moment to complete the form and return it promptly to the police department. You can send it by mail, by email, personally bring it in person, or call with the information and a supervisor will fill out the form for you.

After the initial submission, the process can be frustrating, so please be patient as we follow due process. State laws and union contracts limit what information we can share as the investigation progresses. We will tell you we received it, who will be investigating the complaint and what the next steps are, but after that, we cannot share information until the investigation is complete. Even then, the information that we can share is limited.

Commendations are included within the employee's personnel file and often follow them along their career path.  Every commendation or note of thanks is greatly appreciated and taken truly to heart, but the heart of a public servant shines thru in response to any commendation, which most often resembles, "Thank you, but it's simply my job." 

In addition to providing our complaint form and our department policy regarding personnel complaints, here are some links for additional information:

• Often referred to as, “Peace Officer’s Bill of Rights” the law sets some ground rules for how complaints can be investigated.
• The section of the Data Practices statute that deals with Personnel Data including complaint data.
• A community action manual provided by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The Mendota Heights Police Department is committed to the ethical treatment of everyone we come in contact with. Know that your complaints, comments, and concerns are taken very seriously. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call the Police Chief directly.