Commend or Complain

The Shafter Police Department takes seriously all commendations and complaints regarding the service provided by the Department and the conduct of its members. The Department will accept and address all commendations and complaints of misconduct in accordance with this policy and applicable federal, state and local law.  It is also the policy of this department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without concern for reprisal or retaliation.

Personnel complaint forms will be maintained in a public area of the police facility and be accessible through the department website. All complaints will be courteously accepted by any department member and promptly given to the appropriate supervisor. Although written complaints are preferred, a complaint may also be filed orally, in writing, by email, in person or by telephone. Regardless of how a compliant is received, as soon as they are reviewed, they will be directed to a supervisor.

The supervisor, upon contact with the complainant, shall complete and submit a complaint form as appropriate. Although not required, complainants are encouraged to file complaints in person so that proper identification, signatures, photographs or physical evidence may be obtained as necessary. If requested, a complainant shall be provided with a copy of his/her statement at the time it is filed with the Department (Penal Code § 832.7).

Upon completion of the complaint, the Chief of Police will ensure that within 30 days of the final disposition of the complaint, the complainant is provided written notification of the disposition (Penal Code § 832.7e). 

To commend an officer send an email. To file a complaint click here to download form. Once the form is complete, print and return to the Shafter Police Department or return by saving the completed file and attaching it to an email. 

To obtain a form in Spanish, click here to download the Spanish form.