Types of Formal Cases and Process Flow Chart

An Appeal can be filed with the ombudsman within 30 days after the complainant has received a response from an investigation conducted by the Boise Police Department and is not satisfied with the results of the investigation.

Upon receipt of an Appeal, the ombudsman reviews the internal investigation conducted by the Boise Police Department and determines whether or not the investigation was complete and thorough.  The ombudsman may issue a finding based on the strength of the department's own internal investigation or conduct an additional investigation and then issue a finding.

The ombudsman opens a formal case every time a community member praises the actions of officers in a specific incident.  This type of case is called a Commendation.  The Office of the Community Ombudsman gladly takes these commendations and forwards them to the officer and chief of police.

The ombudsman opens a case whenever a person complains about the actions of one or more officers.  If the actions being described by a complainant are such that, were they true, they would constitute a violation of either police policy or law, the case is classified as a Complaint.

We do insist that every person who files a complaint with the Office of the Community Ombudsman provides information that he or she believes to be true and accurate.  Intentionally and knowingly providing false information in the filing of a complaint is a serious matter.  It is a breech of trust.  It compromises the integrity of the "community feedback" process we depend on.  It also is unfair to an officer whose professional and personal reptutation may be at stake.

A Critical Incident is an event that involves the use of deadly force, or an event in which police actions result in death or serious bodily injury.  City Ordinance requires that the ombudsman be notified immediately whenever an employee of the Boise City Police Department is involved in a Cricial Incident.  When a Critical Incident occurs, the ombudsman has the authority to conduct an independent administrative investigation into the incident.

Inquiries constitute the largest percentage of formal cases.  Inquiries are the name given to an allegation, concern, question, or suggestion concerning police or law enforcement operations, policies, practices, or training that does not, on its face, suggest a provable violation of either policy or procedure. 

Inquiries can be classified in four ways: Ombudsman's Inquiry, Mediated Inquiry,  Rapid Resolution Inquiry, or Discontinued.

1) An Ombudsman's Inquiry is an inquiry for which the Community Ombudsman has retained responsibility for resolution of the inquiry other than by means of mediation.

2) A Mediated Inquiry is an inquiry for which the Community Ombudsman has designated as being appropriate for resolution by means of mediation.  The goals of mediation will be improved communication, mutual understanding, reduction of conflict, and if necessary and possible, a mutually satisfactory resolution of any dispute.

3) A Rapid Resolution Inquiry is an inquiry that the Community Ombudsman has assigned for resolution to the department that is the subject of the inquiry.

4) A Discontinued Inquiry is an inquiry that has been discontinued or denied following an Intake Investigation or preliminary review due to the complainant withdrawing the inquiry, the discovery that the 90-day timeliness requirement to file cannot be waived, or the inquiry actually involved an agency outside of the ombudsman's jurisdiction.