It is the policy of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety to accept and investigate all complaints in a thorough and timely manner, including anonymous complaints. The investigation of those complaints will result in a finding. Complaints sustained after investigation will contain recommendations for appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures.
The goal of this policy shall be to correct deficiencies in policies and procedures, detect and deter personal misconduct, instill confidence in citizens regarding the integrity of the department and its personnel and to make the DPS a better functioning organization.
To a large degree the public image of our agency is shaped and maintained by the quality of the internal affairs/professional standards function in responding and demonstrating the agency values when responding to allegations of misconduct by the department or individual members of the department.
If you wish to file a formal complaint against an employee of the Department of Public Safety, you can submit a Citizen Complaint Form.
To file an anonymous complaint about a DPS employee, visit the EthicsPoint website, a third-party service.
Internal Affairs and Professional Standards Summary
It is the policy of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety to accept and investigate all complaints in a thorough and timely manner, including anonymous complaints. The investigation of those complaints will report a finding. Complaints sustained after investigation will contain recommendations for appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures.
Definitions
- Category 1: A complaint that alleges failure to supply services that meet the expectations of the complainant although laws, policies and procedures have been followed. Examples include alleged acts of rudeness, discourtesy, unprofessional conduct, sarcasm directed towards another person, poor attitude, or a rude and insulting demeanor.
- Category 2: A complaint that alleges misconduct by an employee in failing to follow policies and procedures. Examples include insubordination, inattention/neglect to duty, minor V&T laws.
- Category 3: A complaint that alleges that an employee committed an act that violated the law with the exception of minor Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
- Exonerated: The act(s) alleged did occur, but the act(s) are justified, lawful and proper.
- Misconduct Not Based on Original Complaint: The investigation revealed that the acts of misconduct that occurred and documented were not contained or alleged in the original complaint.
- Closed by Investigation – Unable to Substantiate: The investigation failed to discover sufficient evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegations made in the complaint.
- Policy/Procedural Failure: The investigation revealed the alleged acts did occur; however the member was acting in accordance with Department policy.
- Sustained: The investigation disclosed there is sufficient evidence to clearly prove the allegations made in the complaint.
- Unfounded: The investigation indicates the act(s) alleged did not occur or that it failed to involve members of the Department.
View summaries of the Department of Public Safety’s Internal Affairs/Professional Standards investigations for each calendar year.