Complaint process

The Review Board's screening panel promptly reviews the complaint and makes an initial decision as to whether the complaint sets forth a sufficient basis of alleged police misconduct and whether the Board has legal jurisdiction (meaning has the complaint been filed in a timely manner and is the complaint against a police officer of METRO).  If the panel finds there is either no legal jurisdiction or there is an insufficient basis to find misconduct, the complaint is dismissed by the Review Board.  If the panel finds that the complaint sets forth a sufficient basis to find misconduct may have occurred and legal jurisdiction exists, the complaint is immediately forwarded to the Internal Affairs Division of METRO for their investigation and decision.  Once the Internal Affairs Division makes their decision and recommendations to the Sheriff, the Review Board's Hearing Panel will review METRO’S decision and conduct an independent hearing and review the alleged misconduct.  At this hearing, the Review Board will hear evidence in support of the complaint and may subpoena the witnesses to attend.  The proceedings at this hearing are confidential by law until the Review Board's decision is made public.  The Review Board may dismiss the complaint, if it determines that no misconduct occurred.  The Review Board may recommend specific discipline be taken against the officer involved and police policies and practices be changed, if the Review Board decides misconduct did occur.  By law, the Sheriff has the final authority to decide what actions will actually be taken.  Please feel free to contact the Review Board's office if you have any questions about the CRB process.