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Professional Standards
OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT—2017 Annual Report
Professional Standards
Professional standards, also referred in some police agencies as Internal Affairs, is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and maintaining members compliance with federal, state and local laws, city rules, and more narrowly, the department operating policies and procedures. Every level in this organization is tasked with carrying the mission and philosophy of the department to their best professional ability. As community servants, police officers are accountable to the department and community of citizens they serve. Policing is complex and requires adaptability to work with a community of diversity and an array of expectations. We set a high standard of excellence for our staff and strive to be our best and do our best in every situation, but we also recognize that police officers are prone to making mistakes and we cannot be perfect all the time.



Professional Standards serves as a transparent method of internal accountability by receiving, classifying, processing, and investigating complaints concerning conduct of any police department employee. Conduct could include violations of a citizens’ rights, criminal law, department policy or officer performance. Upon the conclusion of a complete and thorough investigation, the Captain of Investigations submits the investigation to the Chief of Police. In 2017, Professional Standards investigated 19 complaints, one of which was conducted for another agency. Of the 18 internal complaints involving Owatonna Police Department staff, 15 were sustained and discipline was issued that ranged from an oral reprimand to a 15 day suspension. In three cases, the Chief of Police ruled in favor of the officer with a finding of exonerated, unfounded, or not sustained. The sustained discipline is most often for minor policy infractions such as reporting late for duty or failure to report for a scheduled court appearance.

Professional Standards also receives many compliments from citizens that wish to recognize the outstanding work of our officers for going “above and beyond”. Anyone, including citizens and police staff, can make a formal commendation request that will be reviewed by the Chief of Police. Officer recognition is shared with all employees through a weekly bulletin. Actions conducted by an officer or officers that raise to a commendation will be presented by the Chief of Police at a formal awards ceremony.