VIPD Policy 7.3 Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from Virgin Islands Police Department Policy and Procedure Manual Chapter 7.3 regarding Investigating Misconduct and Citizen Complaints.

Complaint

Any allegation by an individual regarding VIPD services, policies, practices or procedures, claims for damages which allege Officer misconduct, or Officer misconduct; and any allegation of possible misconduct made by a VIPD officer.

Complainant

Any person who files a complaint regarding the conduct of any Department employee, or the VIPD's policies, procedures, or action.

Complaint Control Number

A sequential number used to identify and track citizen complaint investigations.

Class 1 Complaints

Allegations that have the potential to damage the reputation of the Department or its personnel, and generally include allegations of serious misconduct, serious violations of Standards of Conduct and other written directives, or criminal conduct.

Class 2 Complaints

Allegations that generally include allegations of a non-serious nature and violations of Standards of Conduct and other written directives of a non-serious nature.

Class 3 Complaints

Minor complaints by a citizen desiring to make an informal complaint against an employee, generally involving an employee's conduct and/or behavior.

Class 4 Complaints

Minor Service complaints by a citizen who contacts the Department questioning, or informally complaining, about a policy, procedure, or tactic used by the Department or an employee.

Critical Firearm Discharge

A discharge of a firearm by a VIPD officer, excluding range and training discharges and discharges at animals.

Discipline

A written reprimand, suspension, demotion, or dismissal.

Employee

Any person employed by the VIPD, whether sworn or non-sworn, part-time or full-time.

External Complaint

A complaint that originates from outside the department.

Internal Complaint

A complaint that originates from within the VIPD, initiated by other VIPD employees or supervisors.

Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB)

The designated Bureau with primary responsibility for conducting investigations of Administrative or Citizen Complaints of Misconduct.

Misconduct

Any conduct by a VIPD employee that violates VIPD policy or the law.

Preponderance of the Evidence Standard

Just enough evidence, no matter how slight, to make it more likely than not that the allegation sought to be proved is true or false.

Serious Misconduct

Suspected criminal misconduct and specific forms of misconduct identified in section D, investigated by the IAB unit and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Attorney General's Office.

Serious Use of Force

Any action by an officer involving deadly force, critical firearm discharges, force resulting in serious bodily injury or hospital admission, canine bites, or chemical spray/Electronic Control Weapon against a restrained person.

Summary Action

Disciplinary action (oral reprimand or counseling documented in writing) taken by an Officer's supervisor or commander for minor violations of department rules, policies, or procedures.

Supervisor

Includes those holding the rank of Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, Chief, Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, acting capacities, authorized sworn/non-sworn managers carrying department issued weapons, or anyone authorized by the Commissioner.

Sustained

Investigative disposition where the investigation determines, by preponderance of the evidence, that the allegation is supported by sufficient evidence to determine that the incident occurred and the officer's actions were improper.

Not sustained

Investigative disposition where the investigation determines, by preponderance of the evidence, that there is insufficient facts to decide whether the alleged misconduct occurred.

Exonerated

Investigative disposition where the investigation determines, by preponderance of the evidence, that the alleged conduct did occur but did not violate VIPD policies, procedures, or training.

Unfounded

Investigative disposition where the investigation determines, by preponderance of the evidence, that there are no facts to support that the incident complained of actually occurred.

IAPRO

The secure software application (Internal Affairs Case Management System) where all allegations and completed investigations are recorded and stored.