Desk Item.Item #10 - Independent Police Auditor
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Police Chief, and Interim
Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/18/2022 ITEM NO: 10 DESK ITEM
DATE: October 18, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney
SUBJECT: Receive an Annual Report Regarding the Independent Police Auditor Function
REMARKS:
The following information is provided in response to questions from Council Members since the
posting of the staff report.
How many complaints were submitted in writing (as opposed to verbally) over the past year,
why a public agency might opt not to require written complaints, and what the common
practice is in other public agencies.
All but two complaints were submitted in writing. One individual asked to make two
complaints verbally and that those verbal complaints be transcribed by Town staff.
In order to insure adequate review of complaints, it is useful to have the complaints in written
form. The Town could adopt a policy to provide transcription services in certain circumstances.
For instance, if a complainant has a disability or cannot write in English, Town staff could
provide transcription services.
In Santa Clara County, we have located three agencies that allow verbal complaints and one
agency that requires that complaints be submitted in written form.