How to File a Citizen Complaint

The Personnel Review Board does not offer or give legal advice. The citizen must seek legal advice from his or her own legal counsel. The citizen takes the position of prosecutor to present a disciplinary case against an employee before the Personnel Review Board. Any accused employee who comes before the Board on a citizen complaint has the option of representing themselves or having legal counsel. Following is the Personnel Review Board's Rules of Procedure related to citizen complaints.

Who Can File Charges

A. It shall be the duty of the department director to file charges against any person in the classified service and subordinate to that department director if, in that person's opinion, there is cause for demotion, suspension or discharge.

B. If a department director neglects or refuses to file charges, it shall be the duty of the Director of the Department of Human Resources to file charges if the Director of the Department of Human Resources believes that there is cause to file charges against any person in the classified service.

C. Any citizen, except those mentioned in A and B above or an individual acting in a representative capacity for any group or organization, may file charges against any person in the classified service, as long as:

1. The allegations contained in the charge are made under oath and formally notarized; and
2. Such allegations are supported by the Affidavit of one or more witnesses who are alleged to have first-hand knowledge of the facts underlying the allegations.

Civil Service Rules are used to determine the allegations of the employee for the administering of discipline. One or more of the rules must be stated in order for the Personnel Review Board to hear the allegations.

The complaint must be filed with the Personnel Review Board office (Courthouse, Suite 308). Upon filing of complaint, the executive secretary shall verify compliance of such complaint with 1 and 2 above; and, when so verified, the executive secretary shall place said complaint on the agenda for the Personnel Review Board's determination as to whether the charges warrant a hearing.