Compliment / Complaint Procedures
Compliment a Coppell Police Department Employee
If a Coppell Police Department employee has done outstanding work, tell us about it. We encourage you to share what happened by one of the following ways:
- Call the Coppell Police Department at 972-304-3600 and ask to speak to a supervisor
- Visit the Coppell Police Department during regular business hours and ask to speak to a supervisor. The address of the Police Department is:
Coppell Police Department
130 Town Center Blvd.
Coppell, Texas 75019
- Complete an Online Compliment/Complaint Form by selecting Compliment and then submitting it electronically
- Email the Coppell Professional Standards Unit at professionalstandards@coppelltx.gov
Your comments will be forwarded through the employee's chain of command. After the review, a copy of your comments will be placed in the employee's personnel file and a copy will be provided to the employee.
File a Complaint Against a Coppell Police Department Employee
The Coppell Police Department recognizes that its employees are responsible for their conduct where the public is concerned. The department also acknowledges that at certain times, conflicts between citizens and agency employees can arise. It is essential to the safety of our community that the relationship between police and citizens be built on confidence and trust.
Any person who believes that any Coppell Police Department Employee has been involved in improper conduct or has a criticism of Department services has the right to make a complaint. The Coppell Police Department investigates all complaints received from citizens in a fair and unbiased manner. Citizens who file complaints are treated respectfully, and their accusations are taken seriously.
There are two types of complaints that may be made against members of the police department:
- Class I Incidents usually involve serious alleged acts such as criminal misconduct, allegations of civil rights violations or discrimination, or allegations of unnecessary force. Class I Incidents must be in writing and must be signed by the complainant. (Texas Government Code 614.022)
- Class II Incidents usually involve employee behaviors, such as rudeness, discourtesy, offensive language, harassment, minor misconduct, or improper police procedures. Class II Incidents will normally be investigated by the immediate supervisor. Class II Incidents may be made in person, by phone, by email or online submission, or by letter.
Submitting a complaint
When filing a complaint please give specific details about what happened along with any facts and evidence that support your allegation(s). Complaints may be filed anonymously without giving your personal information, but you will not be notified of the results of the investigation if you choose to remain anonymous. You may file a complaint by any of the following ways:
- Call the Coppell Police Department at 972-304-3600 and ask to speak to a supervisor
- Visit the Coppell Police Department ask to speak to a supervisor. The address of the Police Department is:
Coppell Police Department
130 Town Center Blvd.
Coppell, Texas 75019
- Complete an Online Compliment/Complaint Form by selecting Complaint and then submitting it electronically
- Email the Professional Standards Unit at professionalstandards@coppelltx.gov
Depending on the type of complaint, you may be asked to complete and sign a written statement as to the details of the complaint. Texas law requires that all complaints made against members of the police department involving serious alleged acts such as criminal misconduct, allegations of civil rights violations or discrimination, or allegations of unnecessary force be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint.
False Police Complaints
The deliberate making of a report that the complainant knows to be false or misleading could constitute a violation of State Law. Making a False Complaint (Texas Penal Code section 37.02, Perjury Section) is a Class A misdemeanor punishable with a fine of up to $4,000, or confinement in jail for up to one year or both.
Racial & Bias-Based Profiling Policy
Coppell Police Department employees are strictly prohibited from engaging in racial profiling and bias-based profiling.
Racial Profiling is defined as a law enforcement-initiated action based solely on an individual's race, ethnicity, and/or national origin, rather than on the individual's behavior and/or information tending to identify the individual as having engaged in criminal activity.
Bias-Based Profiling is defined as a law enforcement-initiated action, detention or interdiction based solely on a trait common to a group of people, rather than on the individual's behavior and/or information tending to identify the individual as having engaged in criminal activity.
Any person who believes they are a victim of racial or bias-based profiling is urged to speak with an on-duty supervisor in person or by phone at 972-304-3600. We would prefer to speak with you in person, but all complaints will be investigated regardless of the manner they are received. No person shall be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing a complaint, nor discriminated against because they file such a complaint. If the matter proves to be more serious in nature, Texas State Law requires that the complaint be signed and in writing.
To maintain a professional and impartial relationship with motorists stopped for traffic violations, the Coppell Police Department has equipped every officer with a body worn camera and every vehicle used for enforcement with an audio and video recording system. Officers are required to activate the cameras during all traffic stops and the recordings are available for review by supervisors in the event of a complaint.
If you wish to file a complaint on racial or bias-based profiling, please refer to the sections listed above on filing and submitting a complaint.