The primary responsibility of the Public Integrity Unit is to ensure the principles and policies of the Lexington Police Department are being upheld. The unit serves as a mechanism for internal accountability by receiving, processing and investigating complaints or commendations concerning police conduct.
To file a complaint or compliment about a Lexington Police employee you can use our online form, contact LFUCG's Citizens' Advocate or you may call (859) 258-3625 during regular business hours.
What to expect when you file a complaint
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Informal Complaints
An Informal Complaint is taken from any individual alleging misconduct of any police officer and does not require a signed affidavit or possible testimony before the Urban County Council. Informal Complaints received by the Public Integrity Unit are forwarded to the officer’s bureau for investigation. After a review of the factors and circumstances, it may be determined that the officer(s) acted properly, that the issue was a matter to be resolved in court, or that the officer(s) acted improperly.
In situations where an allegation is sustained, the police department works to resolve the issue with the complainant and addresses the matter with the officer through coaching and counseling or possible referral to the Public Integrity Unit for further investigation as a formal complaint.
2022
Lexington Police Department supervisors investigated 206 Informal Complaints involving 283 allegations. Once the investigations were completed, 239 of the allegations were either unfounded or it was determined the officer conducted themselves properly. Ten complaints had insufficient evidence to move forward. The remaining 34 allegations were sustained and determined that the officer acted improperly, were resolved with the citizen, were referred to the Public Integrity Unit for formal charges, or counseling was issued.
| 2022 Informal Complaints Involved Allegations of: | |
|---|---|
| BWC activation/deactivation | 3 |
| Courtesy | 6 |
| (Poor) driving behavior | 17 |
| Improper use of force | 13 |
| Inappropriate action | 59 |
| Misconduct | 11 |
| Mistreatment of persons in custody | 2 |
| Questioned arrest | 8 |
| Questioned investigation | 66 |
| Questioned report or citation | 11 |
| Racially motivated bias | 9 |
| Rudeness | 67 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 7 |
| Honesty | 2 |
| Violation of written or verbal department rule | 2 |
2021
Lexington Police Department supervisors investigated 200 Informal Complaints involving 313 allegations. Once the investigations were completed, 269 of the allegations were either unfounded or it was determined the officer conducted themselves properly. Two complaints had insufficient evidence to move forward. The remaining 42 allegations were sustained, and determined that the officer acted improperly, were resolved with the citizen, were referred to the Public Integrity Unit for formal charges, or counseling was issued.
| 2021 Informal Complaints Involved Allegations of: | |
|---|---|
| BWC activation/deactivation | 1 |
| Courtesy | 17 |
| (Poor) driving behavior | 8 |
| Gender bias (not sexual orientation bias) | 1 |
| Improper use of force | 14 |
| Inappropriate action | 44 |
| Misconduct | 3 |
| Mistreatment of persons in custody | 8 |
| Other | 1 |
| Questioned arrest | 6 |
| Questioned investigation | 60 |
| Questioned report or citation | 14 |
| Racially motivated bias | 11 |
| Rudeness | 63 |
| Sexual orientation bias | 1 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 16 |
| Violation of written or verbal department rule | 2 |
Formal Complaints
A Formal Complaint is taken from any individual alleging misconduct on the part of any police officer, taken under oath in the form of an affidavit, signed and sworn to by the complainant and duly notarized. All formal complaints, whether generated from within the department or from outside sources, are investigated by the Public Integrity Unit (PIU).
2023 Formal Complaints
| Date Filed | PIU Number |
Alleged Violation | Filed Internal or External |
Extension | Bureau / Section of Involved Officer | Disposition | Council Approved | Discipline / Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/30/2023 | 2023F-001 | Preventable Collisions | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | 3/23/2023 | Written reprimand and two weeks suspension of home fleet |
| 2/27/2023 | 2023F-002 | Adherence to Laws, Regulations, and Orders | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Investigations | Sustained | 6/15/2023 |
Two month suspension without pay and must attend Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar |
| 4/3/2023 | 2023F-003 | Misconduct/Body-Worn Camera Procedures/Operation of Vehicles | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Special Operations | Sustained | 7/13/2023 | Two week suspension without pay and six month suspension of home fleet |
| 6/9/2023 | 2023F-004 |
Violating Any Rules of the Department / Personal Appearance of Sworn Officers |
Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | 8/17/2023 | Written reprimand |
| 6/29/2023 | 2023F-005 |
Use of Alcohol, Illegal Drugs and Legal Drugs - On Duty |
Internal | N/A | Bureau of Investigations | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| 7/11/2023 | 2023F-006 | Violating Any Rules of the Department / Emergency and Pursuit Driving | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| 7/11/2023 | 2023F-007 | Violating Any Rules of the Department / Emergency and Pursuit Driving / Operation of Vehicles | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| 7/11/2023 | 2023F-008 | Violating Any Rules of the Department / Emergency and Pursuit Driving / Operation of Vehicles / Body Worn Camera | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| 8/4/2023 | Misconduct | External | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Unfounded | N/A | N/A |
2022 Formal Complaints
|
Date Filed |
PIU Number |
Alleged Violation |
Filed Internal or External |
Extension |
Bureau / Section of Involved Officer |
Disposition |
Council Approved |
Discipline / Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1/19/2022 |
Misconduct |
Internal |
N/A |
Special Operations |
Sustained |
N/A |
Resigned on 2/04/2022 |
|
| 2/22/2022 | 2022F-002 | Body-Worn Camera Procedures | Internal | N/A | Patrol | Sustained | 4/14/2022 | One day suspension without pay |
| 3/3/2022 | 2022F-003 | Misconduct / Conduct Toward the Public and Conduct Toward Department Employees | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Special Operations | Sustained | N/A | Retired on 6/08/2022 |
| 3/3/2022 | 2022F-004 | Conduct Toward the Public and Conduct Toward Department Employees | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Special Operations | Sustained | 6/23/2022 | One day suspension without pay |
| 3/21/2022 | 2022F-005 | Unsatisfactory Performance / Misconduct | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | N/A | Retired on 7/15/2022 |
| 3/29/2022 | 2022F-006 | Conduct Toward the Public and Conduct Toward Department Employees | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Special Operations | Sustained | 6/23/2022 |
One day suspension without pay |
| 4/25/2022 | 2022F-007 | Violating any Rules of the Department / Operation and Maintenance of Department Vehicles | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | 8/18/2022 |
Written reprimand and two weeks suspension of home fleet |
| 5/20/2022 | 2022F-008 | Processing Property and Evidence | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | 9/8/2022 | Three month suspension without pay |
| 6/01/2022 | 2022F-009 | Unsatisfactory Performance | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | N/A | Retired on 7/20/2022 |
| 6/06/2022 | 2022F-010 | Misconduct | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | 9/8/2022 | Three month suspension without pay |
| 7/06/2022 | 2022F-011 | Misconduct | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Patrol | Sustained | N/A |
Retired on 7/20/2022 |
| 8/02/2022 | 2022F-012 |
Accountability and Responsibility / Body Worn Camera Procedures |
Internal |
N/A |
Bureau of Special Operations |
Sustained | 10/13/2022 | Written reprimand |
| 11/3/2022 | 2022F-013 | Adherence to Laws, Regulations and Orders | Internal | N/A | Bureau of Administration | Sustained | N/A | Resigned on 12/26/2022 |
| 11/9/2022 | 2022F-014 | Violating any Rules of the Department / Body Worn Camera & Traffic Law Enforcement | Internal | NA | Bureau of Investigations | Sustained | N/A | Retired on 1/28/2023 |
* Denotes a formal complaint involving more than one officer