Investigations Into Misconduct

Filing Complaints of Misconduct

You may file a complaint in any of the following ways:

• Submit the complaint online
• Download the complaint form and mail or bring it to:

Department of Detention and Enforcement
Investigations Unit
3300 Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89101

• Call (702) 229-6153, leave your name and address and we will mail a form to you

Our Policy on Investigating
The Investigations Unit serves as the coordinating authority for all complaints, to include:  

• Intentional discrimination.
• Corruption.
• Brutality.
• Major use of force.
• Breach of civil rights.
• Criminal misconduct.
• Violation of a specific criminal statute.
• Discharge of a firearm whether on or off duty.
• As directed by the chief.

The Investigations Unit reviews every complaint. Complaints alleging minor misconduct are referred to the supervisor of the accused employee. More serious allegations are investigated by an investigator.

We are strictly an investigative unit. We determine the facts of the case. We do not determine the truth of the complaint. That determination is left to the accused employee's supervisors and the chief. Our goal is to insure a fair and expeditious investigation in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and with city of Las Vegas and department policies.

Responsibility–Ours and Yours
The department's responsibilities are to receive and record your complaint, evaluate it for assignment, conduct an impartial investigation, make an unbiased disposition, and correct the misconduct if it is found.

Your responsibility is to report the facts as clearly as possible and as soon as possible after the incident. False complaints, with a specific intent to unjustly subject an employee to undeserved discipline or slander, or to place his/her employment status in jeopardy, can result in criminal charges being brought against you.

Complaint Classification
All investigations receive one of the following dispositions:

• Unfounded–The incident did not happen or did not involve an employee of the department.
• Not Sustained–There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the complaint.
• Sustained–The allegation of misconduct is true.
• Exonerated–The incident happened but the employee acted lawfully and properly.

Discipline
Administrative discipline used in misconduct cases may include oral warning, documented oral counseling, written reprimand, reduction in classification, termination or suspension.

Under current Nevada state law (NRS Chapter 289), the disposition of a disciplinary case is considered a closed record and therefore, confidential. We cannot legally release such information. We can only tell you that we have verified, not verified, or insufficient information exists to verify the complaint.

The Department of Detention and Enforcement compiles annual statistics of all Internal Affairs investigations. A summary of this report is available upon request.