City of Bastrop

Submit a Compliment or Complaint

Click HERE to submit a compliment.

Click HERE to submit a complaint.

Your City of Bastrop Police Department is dedicated to providing the best police service possible to all of

Bastrop' s Citizens.

Your police employees are carefully selected and given the best training possible in order to provide this service. However, you may have an occasion to lodge a complaint about the actions of a member of the City of Bastrop Police Department. In order to be responsive to you, we are providing the following information about how complaints are made, how they are investigated, and the final outcome of your complaint.

On the flip side, if you have a compliment that you would like to provide feedback on, this can also be done online (above), via mail, in person or via email (vsteffanic@cityofbastrop.org).

How are Complaints Made?

When a citizen lodges a complaint against a member of the City of Bastrop Police Department, the complaint goes to the Internal Affairs Division located at 104 Grady Tuck Ln. Bastrop, Texas. The Internal Affairs office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each weekday. If the Internal Affairs Division is not open, you may lodge your complaint online (see above) in person, by mail, email (vsteffanic@cityofbastrop.org) or by calling 512-332-8600. Your complaint will be forwarded to the Internal Affairs Division. A printable PDF is contained in the link directly below.

How to File a Complaint PDF.pdf

TEXAS STATE LAW requires that all complaints against police officers must be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint.

Just as citizens who are arrested must be notified of the charges against them, the police officer must be given a copy of the complaint before any disciplinary action may be taken. Complaints must be made by the person aggrieved. Other persons may give statements as witnesses.

The Internal Affairs Division will conduct a thorough investigation of your complaint and you will be advised of the results.

Traffic citations issued or differences of opinions between police officers over the issuance of a traffic citations for the guilt or innocence of persons arrested will not be investigated unless there is specific allegations of misconduct against officers.

False Complaints

Sometimes people make false complaints against police officers. Citizens should be aware that this is a violation of the Texas Penal Code. Section 37.02 (PERJURY) provides punishment for those individuals adjudged guilty of committing an offense, if with intent to deceive and had knowledge of the statements meaning; he makes a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made and the statement is required or authorized by law to be made under oath.

A person convicted under this section can be confined in jail for any term of not more than (1) year and a fine not to exceed $4,000. This information is not intended to intimidate citizens or prevent them from making valid complaints. It is the intent of the department to persuade individuals from seeking retribution by filling false complaints against police officers.

What happens when a complaint is found to be true?

When the investigation of a complaint reveals that the charges are true and should be sustained against a police employee, the Chief of Police notifies the employee and may take one of the following actions, depending on the nature of the violation.

Verbal Reprimand
Written Reprimand
Time off without compensation
Demotion
Termination

What happens if the complaint is not true?

Police employees must be afforded certain rights the same as with all citizens, and complaints must be supported by sufficient evidence.

If there is not sufficient evidence to sustain the complaint(s), the officer is notified and will continue on duty. If he/she was removed from duty during the investigation he/she shall be paid for that time.

Can the Officer appeal the decision?

Yes. Just as citizens charged with a criminal offense have the right to appeal the court's decision, police officers also have the right to appeal administrative actions taken against them. The City of Bastrop has established procedures for officers to follow in their appeals process, just as the City of Bastrop Police Department has established procedures for insuring that complaints by citizens against officers are thoroughly and honestly investigated.

What if you are not satisfied with the decision?

If you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation by the Internal Affairs Division you may appeal to the following:

The Office of the Chief of Police
Address: 104 Grady Tuck Ln. Bastrop, Texas 78602
Phone: (512) 332-8600

cnagy@cityofbastrop.org

The Office of the City Manager
Address: 1311 Chestnut St. Bastrop, Texas. 78602
Phone: (512) 332-8800

The Office of the District Attorney
Address: 804 Pecan St. Bastrop, Texas 78602

The Austin, Texas Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Address: 300 E. Eighth Street, Suite 215 Austin, Texas 78767

The City of Bastrop Police Department is vitally concerned with the welfare of all Bastrop Citizens and in taking action where employees have proven derelict in their duties or are guilty of misconduct. If it becomes necessary for you to make a complaint, you can be assured that it will be given a fair and through investigation.

By the same token, if you have occasion to see an employee doing outstanding work, tell him/her or drop us a note.

The City of Bastrop Police Department is made up of individuals who are dedicated to serving and protecting the health, welfare and safety of you and our entire community.