ABSTRACT
The Police Misconduct Complaint Investigations Manual (Complaint Investigations Manual or Manual) is presented as a resource for those working to enhance law enforcement integrity through a strong investigations program, building trust and legitimacy between police departments and the communities served. The Introduction discusses the importance of objective, thorough, and timely handling of complaints for officers and community members, and provides an overview of the Manual’s guidance to ensure these goals are met in furtherance of accountability and transparency in the process. Selected recommendations of the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department, constituted after the Rodney King incident, are presented to demonstrate the importance of strong accountability measures that include objective and thorough complaint investigations and an effective discipline system.
