Complaint Against an Employee

The Tiverton Police Department’s public image is determined by a professional response to allegations of misconduct against its employees. The establishment of procedures for the acceptance of complaints is crucial to demonstrate and protect the Tiverton Police Department’s integrity. This department shall accept, and fairly and impartially investigate, all complaints or allegations of misconduct to determine their validity. The department shall timely impose any disciplinary or non-disciplinary corrective actions that may be warranted. All complaints against the Tiverton Police Department and/or employee conduct shall be accepted and documented regardless of whether the filed complaint is in writing, verbally in person, by mail, by telephone (or TDD), by facsimile or electronically, or anonymously.

The Deputy Chief of Police, James Costa, is responsible for coordinating all administrative and criminal investigations of Tiverton Police Department employees and citizen complaints of misconduct. The Deputy Chief of Police reports directly to the Chief of Police on all internal affairs matters.

The Tiverton Police Department Compliment and Complaint Pamphlet may be obtained at Tiverton Police Headquarters, Tiverton Town Hall, or the Tiverton Public Library.

If you wish to make a complaint about the actions of a Tiverton Police Department Employee or about any aspect of Tiverton Police operations, please:

• Go to Police Headquarters, 20 Industrial Way, Tiverton RI 02878, and tell any employee that you wish to make a complaint, or;
• Call the department at (401) 625-6717 and tell the person answering the phone that you wish to make a complaint, or;
• Download the Complaint Against an Employee Form and mail it to the Deputy Chief of Police, Tiverton Police Department, 20 Industrial Way, Tiverton, RI 02878, or;
• Email the Deputy Chief of Police at jcosta@tivertonpoliceri.com, or;
• If your complaint involves the Chief of Police, you may contact the Town Administrator at the Town Hall, 343 Highland Rd., Tiverton RI 02878 TEL (401) 625-6710; or
• Complete the online form below.

​​Acceptance and Filing of Complaints

1. Complaint forms shall be made available through agency personnel, in the Headquarters lobby and via the Internet.
2. Complaints may be received either in person, over the telephone, in writing, or via the Internet, and may be lodged anonymously or by any other means without regard to the source.
3. Employees shall provide assistance to individuals who express the desire to lodge complaints against any employee of this agency. This may include, but is not limited to,
   1. calling a supervisor to the scene to document the complaint;
   2. explaining the agency’s complaint procedures;
   3. providing referrals to individuals and/or locations where such complaints can be made in person; or
   4. explaining alternative means for lodging complaints, such as by phone, mail, and via the Internet.
4. The complainant shall be advised of the procedures for processing the complaint and provided with a copy of the complaint.
5. The complainant should be asked to verify by signature if the complaint is a complete and accurate account. If the complainant elects not to sign, this fact shall be documented and forwarded to the Captain and the Chief of Police or their designee and the investigative process should proceed.

​If you have questions concerning the process, you may contact the Patrol Shift Officer in Charge (OIC) at (401) 625-6717 ext. 101, the Uniform Division Commander at (401) 625-6717 ext. 124 or the Chief of Police at (401) 625-6717 ext. 116. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

For more information about the Tiverton Police Department’s compliment and complaint process, please see:

For more information about the Tiverton Police Department’s internal investigation process, please see:

​The United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division enforces federal laws that protect you from discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, disability status, sex, religion, familial status, or loss of other constitutional rights. If you believe your civil rights, or someone else’s, have been violated, please see the USDOJ Civil Rights Division Online Reporting page.