Citizen Complaints

Internal Affairs Complaint Investigation Process

The La Porte Police Department is committed to upholding the highest level of integrity.  Our agency will address any legitimate complaint regarding inadequate service, concern with a departmental procedure, or misconduct by its members. It is our guiding principle that any misconduct by Police Department personnel must be identified, thoroughly investigated, and properly addressed.  Sergeant Matt Davidson is assigned as the Internal Affairs supervisor for the agency and he can be contacted at 281-842-3137.  However, if you wish to speak with an on-duty supervisor first, please make a request at the Communications window, and a supervisor will meet with you to discuss your concerns.  After your conversation, the supervisor will immediately document your concerns within the department’s computer database for employee events and, if it is your desire, forward all information to the Internal Affairs Division.  You will then receive a return phone call from an assigned investigator the next working day.  For more information, please review the information listed below. For a PDF version of the Citizen's Personnel Complaint Form click HERE.

Complaint Dispositions

Any complaint made either in-person or anonymously will undergo Administrative Review to determine if it warrants an official investigation.  However, by law, if you wish to be informed of the complaint disposition, you must sign a sworn affidavit, or submit a signed written document, concerning the details of the alleged infraction. Regardless of type (Sworn/Anonymous), after a thorough investigation, the complaint will be classified into one of the following dispositions:

  • Unfounded: No verifiable factual base for complaint.
  • Exonerated: The alleged act occurred, but was justified, legal, proper and/or within the scope of the existing departmental policy.
  • Not Sustained: Insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
  • Sustained: Improper conduct, as supported by a preponderance of the evidence, was committed by the accused employee.
If Acts of misconduct not alleged in the complaint are discovered and supported by a preponderance of the evidence they may also serve as grounds for disciplinary action.

Complaint Review


A final determination about the disposition of any complaint and any disciplinary action taken as the result of sustained allegations will be made by the Chief of Police.