Commendations or Complaints

POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMENDATION AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION

The Sanford Police Department strives to make your contact with the department professional and informative in every way. Information provided by you helps the department deliver the best possible police service to the citizens of Sanford.

Our policy is to acknowledge commendations and investigate any complaints we receive; that includes information received from people directly involved in an incident, witnesses, friends, relatives of those involved, and from community groups. If you have a comment or complaint, you may report it to us in person, by letter or by telephone.

The Sanford Police Department is proud to serve you. Your input is valuable in order to help us to continue to promote professional police service.

Sincerely, 

R.V. Yarborough

Commendations

Commending a Sanford Police Department Member Handling Commendations
We encourage you to inform us when you have had a satisfying experience with the Sanford Police Department or any of its employees.

Commendations are in order when you have experienced service from our department that you feel is worthy of a commendation or when you want to let our members know that what they did was appreciated.

You may contact the Major of Field Operations at 919-777-1014.

Include all details you remember, such as the member’s name, the date, the time, and the circumstances of the incident.
Once the department receives a commendation regarding a member, a copy of your commendation is given to the member and placed in the member’s personnel file.

Complaints

Filing A Complaint Investigation of Complaints
We encourage you to inform us when you have had a less than satisfying experience with the Sanford Police Department.

You should immediately bring your complaint to the attention of the department either by requesting a supervisor at the scene of the incident or by calling the police non-emergency telephone number at 919-777-1051. A supervisor will be notified of the complaint and you will be contacted as soon as possible.

During regular business hours, complaints may also be directed to the Major of Field Operations. Include all details you remember, such as the member’s name, the date, the time, and the circumstances of the incident.

Once the complaint is received, you will receive a call from the Major of Field Operations acknowledging receipt of the complaint and confirming that the complaint is being investigated.

The Internal Affairs function is responsible for coordinating investigations related to alleged misconduct.

During the investigation, you may be asked to participate in an interview to determine the facts of the complaint. Where appropriate, physical evidence will be examined and photographs taken, if needed. If the complaint is valid, appropriate action will be taken. 

North Carolina General Statutes 160(A)-168, prohibits the department from releasing information relating to the outcome of the investigation involving personnel matters.

NOTE:
To fill out a complaint form, please come by the Sanford Police Department at 225 E. Weatherspoon Street in Sanford or ask to speak directly with a supervisor.