Few citizen complaints made against Cape police in 2014

The Cape Girardeau Police Department saw only a handful of professional-standards and citizen-complaint investigations during 2014.

The Professional Standards Unit, which is attached to the Detective Division, investigates complaints of possible violations of city policy, department standards, written directives and some civil service rules, according to the department's 2014 annual report.

There were seven investigations of citizen complaints involving eight employees. Six of the complaints were determined to be unfounded. One instance of misconduct was found.

Information provided by bureau director and assistant police chief Mark Majoros said a citizen complaints are "minor" and "subjective." For example, "the officer was rude to me and did not seem like he cared."

There were fewer professional-standards investigations. Majoros indicated those types of investigations are done "when there is an alleged instance of employee misconduct which could be a violation of our [general orders] or a potential criminal violation."

Allegations may include complaints of bias based on profiling, use of accessive force, false arrest or civil-rights violations, among other complaints, the annual report said.

Four professional-standards investigations were conducted by the department during 2014. Of those, there were three findings of misconduct and one unfounded case.

The department was not able to release information regarding the types of misconduct found or the disciplinary action taken, citing privacy on personnel issues.

Professional-standards violations are investigated like a crime. Based on the evidence, they are ruled proper or improper conduct and insufficient evidence or unfounded, according to the information from Majoros.

If it is determined to be improper conduct, the discipline can range from documented counseling to termination.

If there is a potential criminal violation, the department asks an outside agency, such as the FBI or Missouri State Highway Patrol, to investigate.

"We don't want even any appearance of inmpropriety, but we're human and fallible," said Cpl. Darin Hickey, public information officer for the department. Hickey said the department responds to more than 50,000 calls for service every year.

"We pride ourselves on professionalism, and that's what we're going to try to strive for in every call we respond to," he said.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

40 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO