Complaints Against Fire Personnel

Dear Citizen,

Below contains the information pertaining to accepting, processing and investigating complaints concerning allegations of employee misconduct.  The complaint procedures adopted by the Wausau Fire Department ensure that fair and proper action is taken when an employee is accused of misconduct.

Establishment of procedures for investigating complaints and allegations of employee misconduct is crucial to demonstrate and protect the Wausau Fire Department's integrity.  The Wausau Fire Department will accept and investigate, fairly and impartially, all complaints of employee misconduct to determine the validity of all allegations.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Kopp, Fire Chief

WAUSAU FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The citizens of Wausau, and the State of Wisconsin, have granted certain responsibilities and authority to the Wausau Fire Department.  The department recognizes its responsibility to maintain public confidence and trust, and the need to ensure integrity and accountability both by the agency and by the employee.  As we recognize the rights of all citizens, citizens should recognize that department employees must be free to exercise their best judgement in taking necessary and reasonable action in the performance of their duties without fear of reprisal.  Specific complaint procedures have been adopted by the Wausau Fire Department to ensure that fair and proper action is taken when an employee is accused of misconduct.  This also protects the employees from unwarranted or false accusations.  Additionally, this system provides a means of identifying and correcting deficiencies in policies, procedures, supervision, or training.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

Who May Make a Complaint?

Any person may make a complaint.  Normally, the person most directly affected by the alleged conduct should be the person to complain.  An example of this is that a complaint of rudeness to a driver should be made by the driver, not a passenger in the vehicle.  Exceptions to this would include a parent filing a complaint for a minor child or other similar situations.

In What Form Should a Complaint Be Made?

Complaints may be made in person, in writing, by telephone, or the internet (e.g., email, website, etc.).  Complaints should concisely and specifically describe the conduct of the employee that was alleged to be improper.  Rather than say the employee was rude, explain how the employee was rude by providing specific words or phrases, describing the employee's tone of voice, or citing acts of rudeness.  Identify the employee to the best of your ability.  This can be accomplished by providing the employee's name, vehicle number or license plate number, and the date, time, and location of the incident.  Department employees are required by policy to properly identify themselves upon request.  If available, include the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all witnesses.

To Whom Should the Complaint Be Submitted?

Citizens appearing in person, calling by telephone will be referred to a supervisor.  If no supervisor is available, the citizen may leave their name and telephone number, and a supervisor will re-contact them as soon as possible.  The supervisor will record or assist the citizen in recording pertinent information concerning the complaint.  A citizen may also file a complaint by completing the department's downloadable Citizen Complaint Form (print and drop off or mail to the Fire Department) or submit an electronic complaint via Electronic Citizen Complaint form, all complaints will be received courteously and handled promptly.

Complaints may also be submitted to the Wausau Police and Fire Commission. This may be by mail (Wausau Police and Fire Commission, c/o Human Resources Department, 407 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403), email (humanresources@wausauwi.gov), telephone (715-261-6630), or in person (Human Resources Department, 407 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403).

While written complaints utilizing the Citizen Complaint Form is the preferred submission method, anonymous or third-party complaints will also be accepted and reviewed to the extent that sufficient information is provided to allow for investigation. Depending on its nature, a complaint submitted directly to the Police and Fire Commission may be sent to the Wausau Fire Department for initial investigation.

When May Complaints Be Made?

Complaints may be made anytime.  Complaints should be made within a reasonable time after the alleged misconduct occurred to help ensure evidence is still available and recollections of the incident are fresh.

Can I Make an Anonymous Complaint?

Anonymous complaints are investigated; however, investigations may be less likely to reveal all the facts surrounding an alleged incident when the investigator is deprived of the opportunity to contact the complainant.  Also, an anonymous complainant cannot be made aware of the results of the investigation.  For these reasons, we strongly encourage complainants to leave their name and contact information, sign the complaint form to affirm the information provided is true to the best of their knowledge, and fully cooperate with the investigating supervisor.

INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS

Other than those complaints which are immediately resolved, every complaint of misconduct by an employee will be investigated.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the department will acknowledge the receipt through communication with the complainant.  The department may conduct a preliminary inquiry by telephone, by mail, or in person to clarify specific issues.  The complaint form contains an affirmation to the truth of the information provided and a cautionary statement regarding false allegations.  This statement is not intended to dissuade people from lodging legitimate, factual complaints, but is intended to forewarn against making false or malicious complaints.

The Fire Chief or designee will render a finding in each case.

There are five possible findings:

Unfounded - When the investigation discloses that the alleged acts did not occur or did not involve department members. Complaints that are determined to be frivolous will fall within the classification of unfounded.

Exonerated - When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred but that the act was justified, lawful and/or proper.

Not Sustained - When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the member.

Sustained - When the investigation discloses sufficient evidence to establish that the act occurred and that it constituted misconduct.

Policy Failure - When the investigation discloses the allegations are true; however, the employee was acting in accordance with established department policy. 

You will be notified of the finding in writing at the conclusion of the investigation.  When a finding of "Sustained" is determined, corrective action will be taken.  The corrective action may include counseling, training, and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

WITHDRAWING A COMPLAINT

Any person may voluntarily withdraw a complaint at any point during the investigative process.  Complaint withdrawal is appropriate in situations where additional information is learned which cause the complainant to realize the department employee's actions were proper.  The department may, however, elect to continue the investigation if circumstances warrant.

WHAT IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE HANDLING OF MY COMPLAINT?

If, at the conclusion of the investigation, you are not satisfied with the way the Fire Chief or designee has dealt with your complaint, you may address the complaint to the Wausau Police & Fire Commission or to the Mayor's Office.

Questions about complaint procedures should be directed to:

Wausau Fire Department
606 East Thomas St.
Wausau WI  54403
715-261-7900

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Downloadable Citizen Complaint Form
Electronic Citizen Complaint Form