Complaints
How to make a complaint.
When a citizen has a complaint against a Police Department employee (commissioned or civilian), the complaint may be directed to the department's Internal Affairs Office. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, if the complaint is minor in nature, the employees supervisor may be contacted to pass along your concerns. Texas Civil Service Laws require that all formal complaints against police officers must be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. The person who was wronged must file the complaint; other persons may give statements as witnesses.
Internal Affairs investigators will ensure that a thorough investigation of your complaint is conducted. Just as citizens who are arrested must be told the charges against them, a police employee must be given a copy of the complaint before any disciplinary action is taken. When the investigation is completed, you will be notified of the results by mail from the Chief of Police.
Contact Information for Internal Affairs;
Garland Police Department
1891 Forest Lane
Garland, TX 75040
Phone 972-205-2015
False Complaints
Filing a false complaint against a police employee may be a violation of the Texas Penal Code, Section 37.02. If a person knowingly and intentionally makes a false statement under oath, or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made under oath, a person may be found guilty and punished by a fine up to $4,000, confinement in jail up to one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.