University Police Feedback
Understanding the Process
A complaint or compliment may be filed with the Department in person, in writing, by telephone, or by e-mail. In all cases, the complaint or compliment will be immediately referred to a supervisor. For complaints, a police supervisor will meet with the complainant at a mutually agreed upon time and location. To assist with filing the complaint, the complainant should have information regarding the date, time, and location of the incident; the names or car numbers of the officers involved; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses.
Oftentimes, complaints may simply be concerns about how a situation was handled. It may be possible for the supervisor to explain the actions to the complainant's satisfaction. If this is possible, no complaint will be filed. However, if the complaint is not resolved, the supervisor will assist in completing the complaint form.
In addition to the complaint form, signed and sworn statements may need to be taken from all principals and witnesses having relevant, material, and competent information regarding the investigation. Recognized investigative methods will be used to conduct a competent, thorough, and impartial investigation.
Filing a complaint with the University Police does not prevent anyone from filing complaints with other University offices such as the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Compliments received by members of the campus community will be used by the Department's quarterly employee awards program to determine the winners for that quarter's award.
Contact
University Police
Bissell Hall (Campus Map 
)
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-4900
Tel: (716) 645-2227
Fax: (716) 645-3758
E-Mail: General
The University Police Feedback Process
As part of the complaint process the University at Buffalo Police Department will:
- Encourage the University community to bring forth complaints and compliments regarding police service;
- Promptly investigate any complaints in a competent, professional, and impartial manner;
- Take appropriate criminal and/or disciplinary action in all cases in which an investigation substantiates a violation of law or the orders, rules, regulations, policies, or procedures of the Department; and,
- Seek appropriate remedy for intentional false allegations.
Concerns Leading to Complaints
Issues that could lead to internal investigations may involve one or more of the following:
- Missing property
- Alleged criminal act or omission
- Civil rights violations
- Improper or excessive use of force
- Injuries sustained while in police custody or while involved in a police action
- Abuse of authority
- False arrest
- Inadequate police service
- Sexual harassment
- Threatening the use of or discharging a firearm without legal justification
- Abusive or unprofessional conduct
- Deviation from acceptable conduct by an employee, including violations of the rules, regulations, policies, or procedures of the Department
- Motor vehicle accidents involving police vehicles
How Long Does the Process Take?
There is no set time period. Depending on the seriousness of the complaint and the number of persons involved, the process could be quite lengthy. The complainant should receive a reply from the Department within three days to advise them that the complaint was received if it was not filed in person.
At the conclusion of the investigation a written report will be prepared containing, among other things, the finding for each allegation.