The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) provides the means for independent review of department functions and well-researched, accurate, and impartial information about department functions to the Chief of Police. OPS is directly responsible for the following:

Internal Affairs (IA)
All complaints are forwarded to OPS where they are logged and depending on the nature and/or complexity of the complaint, they are assigned to a supervisor to be investigated or are maintained and investigated by OPS when directed by the Chief of Police. In either scenario, OPS issues to the Chief of Police in writing a finding of fact in every investigation and reports the finding of fact to the complainant in writing within thirty (30) days except in unusual cases where additional time is authorized by the Chief of Police. OPS also publishes an annual statistical summary of internal affairs investigations which is made available to agency employees and the public.  Click here to view the 2012 statistical summary (based on 2011 cases).

Maintenance of the Personnel Early Warning System (PEWS)
The PEWS is a method by which the department proactively monitors the behavior of officers and promotes early intervention for potentially negative behaviors prior to the results of those behaviors bringing about serious consequences. The focus of PEWS is to redirect employee behavior through non-punitive measures when appropriate.

Management of the department's international accreditation
The department is internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The department is assessed by representatives of CALEA every three years to verify the department's compliance with the requirements set forth by the commission for re-accreditation.

Management of agency grants
State and federal grants are often sought to assist the department in initiating community services or crime fighting initiatives that might not otherwise be available due to limiting funding.

Public Information
OPS acts as a liaison with local media and the City's Public Information Officer to provide timely and accurate information on department activities, crime trends, and public safety issues.

Staff Inspections and Evidence Audits
OPS attends staff inspections as an independent reviewer and conducts audits (announced and unannounced) of the evidence locker at the direction of the Chief of Police.

Background Investigations
OPS conducts background investigations on all prospective employees.  The agency's polygraph examiner is assigned to OPS.

Data collection and analysis
OPS collects key factors from all vehicle pursuit and use of force incidents for analyzation and publishing in their respective annual reviews.  OPS also compiles the agency's annual budgets and reports.

Recordkeeping Services
The agency's records bureau is staffed by three clerks and a lead clerk who provide customer service and handle the volumes of paperwork generated within the agency as well as the fulfillment of legal requests for documents, payroll processing, and accounts payable.