Police Compliments & Complaints

The Melissa Police Department is dedicated to providing the best police service possible to the residents and visitors of Melissa. Police employees are carefully selected and given the best training available in order to provide professional service. However, you may have occasion to lodge a complaint in reference to the actions of a member of the Melissa Police Department. In order to be responsive to you, we are providing the following guidelines on how complaints should be made, how they are investigated and their results.

Texas State Law

Government Code 614.022 requires that all complaints against police officers be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. Just as citizens who are arrested must be notified of the charges against them, police officers must be given copies of complaints before any disciplinary action may be taken. The person who claims to be aggrieved must make the complaint. Other persons involved in the incident may give statements as witnesses.

Traffic tickets issued or differences of opinion between police officers and citizens over the issuance of traffic tickets for the guilt or innocence of persons arrested will not be investigated unless there are specific allegations of misconduct against members of the department.

The Melissa Police Department prohibits its officers from engaging in racial profiling. A person wishing to make a complaint in reference to alleged racial profiling by a Melissa Police Officer should follow the complaint process outline in this document.

False Complaints

People who intentionally make false complaints or allegations against police officers violate Chapter 37 of the Texas Penal Code. Texas law provides punishment for an individual adjudged guilty of committing an offense if, with intent to deceive and with knowledge of the statement's meaning, he/she makes a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made; and, the statement is required or authorized by law to be made under oath.

A person who commits an offense under this section can be charged with offenses ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Felony of the Third Degree. Punishments can range from the confinement of 180 days in jail to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $10,000. This information is not intended to intimidate the complainant or any witness but is provided to avoid retaliation against police officers or departmental staff.

Officer Can Appeal the Decision

Just as citizens charged with criminal offenses can appeal a court's decision, police employees are afforded the right to appeal the actions taken against them. The City of Melissa has established procedures for employees to follow in their appeals, just as the police department has established procedures for ensuring that complaints by citizens against police employees are thoroughly and impartially investigated.

Outstanding Work

Likewise, if you see an employee doing outstanding work, tell the employee or a police supervisor. Your Melissa Police Department is made up of individuals who are dedicated to serving you and our community.