Chief of police. The person designated by the city manager as the chief of police.

Community impact case. A complaint involving sworn police officer(s) that alleges excessive force, bias, disparate treatment or violation of constitutional rights, which the police auditor determines should be reviewed by the civilian review board in accordance with section 2.244(3) and 2.244(4) of this code.

Complaint. An expression of dissatisfaction, allegation of misconduct, or question about a police employee’s conduct, police services provided or not provided, or police department policies or practices in general.

Conclusion of any criminal investigation or conclusion of any such criminal investigation. A criminal investigation is deemed concluded when the appropriate criminal prosecutor decides either to press charged or to not press charges.

Critical incident. An occurrence involving a significant police action including, but not limited to, a civil disturbance or riot, an officer-involved shooting, or other action by a sworn police officer resulting in serious physical injury or death.

Facilitated conversation. A discussion guided by a third party, trained facilitator, between the complainant and a department representative, most often the named employee’s supervisor or internal affairs staff.

Immediate family member. A person’s spouse or domestic partner, a parent, step-parent, grandparent, child, stepchild, grandchild, sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling of the person or of the person’s spouse or domestic partner.

Internal affairs. The police employees designated by the chief of police to investigate allegations of misconduct against police employees.

Mediation. A voluntary, confidential complaint resolution option that is an alternative to the investigation, adjudication and disciplinary process. It is a structured process guided by a neutral, third-party, professionally-trained mediator enabling direct communication between the complainant and employee.

Police auditor or auditor. Police auditor or designee if authorized by the auditor to undertake a certain function.

Police employee. A city employee who reports directly or through others to the chief of police.

Preliminary investigation. As used in section 2.456(1)(c), an initial inquiry by the police auditor or the auditor’s designee into the facts and circumstances of a complaint for purposes of deciding how to classify and route the complaint.

Service complaint. A complaint about police employee performance or demeanor, customer service and/or level of police service.

Substantial evidence. Evidence that, considering the record as a whole, a reasonable person would rely upon to conclude that something is true. For purposes of section 2.244(4), an adjudication is supported by substantial evidence when the civilian review board reasonably could reach the same finding after considering all the evidence in the record, whether or not the board actually agrees with the adjudication.

Sworn police officer. A police employee who is also certified and employed as a peace officer under the laws of this state.