Office of Professional Standards

The Office of Professional Standards is comprised of the Administrative Captain and a Lead Inspector Lieutenant. This office is responsible for ensuring accountability, professionalism, and integrity within the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office.

Responsibilities

The Office of Professional Standards is responsible for:

• Internal Affairs investigations
• Staff inspections and audits
• Reviewing and addressing citizen comments, concerns, and complaints

Citizen Comments, Concerns, and Complaints

It is essential that the citizens of Gilchrist County have confidence in their Sheriff’s Office and the administration that supervises the exercise of police authority. To maintain this trust, procedures are in place to ensure that all concerns and allegations of misconduct are thoroughly reviewed and resolved.

Citizen comments are sometimes based on misunderstandings of the law or established law enforcement procedures; however, all comments and concerns are taken seriously. Failure to address these issues can lead to mistrust if they are not properly investigated or explained. Citizens are encouraged to submit legitimate comments, concerns, commendations, or grievances regarding GCSO employees.

Complaint Intake Process

Complaint Intake Forms may be obtained in the following ways:

• Downloaded from the Sheriff’s Office website and printed
• Picked up in person from the Sheriff’s Office lobby

Completed complaint forms may be submitted in person at the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Records Division, where they will be forwarded to the Office of Professional Standards for review.

Internal Affairs

One of the primary functions of the Office of Professional Standards is to provide fact-finding assistance to the Sheriff and command staff through a systematic, objective, and impartial process for investigating allegations of employee misconduct.

Inspectors assigned to Internal Affairs are responsible for conducting administrative investigations related to:

• Allegations of employee misconduct or lack of performance
• Criminal investigations involving agency personnel
• Use of deadly force incidents
• Any additional matters as directed by the Sheriff

All complaints received against the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office or its employees are documented, investigated, and resolved in accordance with established procedures. Monthly summaries of internal investigations and an annual statistical summary are available through a public records request submitted to the Records Division.

Investigation Findings

Upon completion of an investigation or inquiry, findings are classified as one of the following:

• Unfounded – The alleged act did not occur or did not involve GCSO personnel.
• Not Sustained – Insufficient evidence exists to either prove or disprove the allegation.
• Sustained – The preponderance of evidence supports the allegation.
• Exonerated – The act occurred but was lawful, justified, and proper.