Before you begin
Compliments, Suggestions and Complaints
We prefer that you give us your name, address and telephone number so that we can contact you for more information and keep you updated on our investigation. However, if you wish to remain anonymous, we will still take your complaint and investigate it to the extent necessary.
Four ways to reach us
How to Submit Feedback
By phone, 24 hours a day
Call the Records Division at 304-256-1720 and they will contact the on-duty Shift Commander for you.
By phone, during business hours
Call the Professional Standards supervisor at 304-256-1720.
By mail
Beckley Police Department, Attention Capt. Jason McDaniel, 501 Neville Street, Beckley, WV 25801.
On the complaint form
Download the Officer Compliment and Complaint Form, complete it and return it to the department.
Common questions
What Happens Next
Does this mean the Police Department seeks complaints?
No. However, we want to be told if a job appears to have been done ineffectively, or if there is an area of service that can be improved.
Will you listen to my complaint?
Certainly. We will listen to your complaint and will investigate it thoroughly.
Who will investigate my complaint?
Either a special investigator from the Professional Standards Division or the officer’s supervisor will investigate a complaint against a member of the department.
I want the Chief of Police to know. Will he?
He will. The Chief of Police learns of all complaints against officers, and each of the officer’s supervisors is notified as well.
Do I have to give my name to file a complaint?
We will investigate anonymous complaints. However, such complaints can be very difficult to investigate, since additional information may be needed, and the outcome may not be what the complainant expected. We also cannot notify the complainant of the outcome of the investigation.
Do I have to complain in person?
We prefer to talk to you in person so your information can be represented more thoroughly, but we will accept a complaint by telephone, letter, the attached form, or in person. We may need to contact you for additional information. In some situations, such as a formal complaint, it will be necessary to speak with you in person. That meeting could take place at the police station, at your home, or another reasonable location.
Will my complaint be published in the newspaper?
No. All complaints against department employees are kept confidential by the department, unless a court order is issued to the contrary.
Will the officer know I have made a complaint?
Yes. The officer has a right to know the charge made against them and the identity of the person making the allegation.
Will the department retaliate against me?
Absolutely not. It is essential to maintain public confidence in the ability of the department to investigate and properly adjudicate complaints against its members.
I am under 18. Do I have the right to complain?
Yes. Just bring one of your parents, a guardian, or a responsible adult in with you.
What will happen to the officer?
That depends on what the officer did. If the actions were criminal, the Raleigh County Prosecutor’s Office will be notified of the investigation and will help determine a course of action. If the actions were improper but not criminal, corrective action will be taken by the Chief of Police. If the facts support the conclusion that the officer’s actions were legal and proper, the officer will be exonerated. Should the facts indicate the complaint is false, it will be declared unfounded. We follow the guidelines of the West Virginia Police Officer’s Bill of Rights. You will always be notified of the results of our investigation.
Contact
Where to Send It
All complaints against department employees are kept confidential. In an emergency, call 911.
Beckley Police Department
Mailing address
Beckley Police Department
Attention: Capt. Jason McDaniel
501 Neville Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Records Division
304-256-1720, 24 hours a day
In person
501 Neville Street, Beckley
Anonymous complaints
Accepted and investigated
Fax
304-256-1731