Vernon Police Department Professional Standards Division

A Lieutenant, Sergent and Detective comprise the Professional Standards Division of the Vernon Police Department. They are responsible for the Business Labor Relations, Crime Prevention, citizen personnel complaints, training, recuirment, background investigations and for the coordination and release of information to the public and news media.

The Industrial Relations Unit of the Professional Standards division establishes a liaison with the labor/management community to provide expertise during disputes. The unit maintains positive liaison with related governmental agencies, such as the National Labor Board. They ensure that crimes evolving from labor/management disputes are investigated promptly and the investigations are carried to their proper conclusion. The division meets with union and management representatives who are or may be involved in a labor dispute to discuss guidelines to prevent unlawful acts, to encourage self-discipline and encourage strict control over personnel on strike.

The Industrial Relations Unit is a member of the California Association of Labor Relations Officers. The Unit attends annual seminars to receive legal update information on current trespass/public access laws applicable in any demonstration or picket line situation and an overview of upcoming labor disputes that will affect the community.

The Professional Standards works with the community on crime prevention as well. This is an area of primary concern of the Vernon Police Department. The Industrial Relation Division will respond to businesses in the community and will make recommendations on how to improve business security and provide information on crime prevention.

The Internal Affairs Unit of the Professional Standards conducts internal investigations for citizen personnel complaints. Any individual who is directly involved in or witnesses an incident in which he or she believes a member of the Vernon Police Department has acted in a manner, which if true, would be classified as misconduct should bring the matter to the attention of the department by calling the on-duty watch commander @323-587-5171. A personnel complaint can be filed by:

1. Telephone, directly to the on-duty Watch Commander 323/587-5171
2. In writing or
3. In person, at the police department by speaking to a police supervisor; generally the on-duty Watch Commander.

The training of the Professional Standards Division is also responsible for ensuring that all officers and staff are properly trained as required by the California Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations Corrections Standards Authority.

Recruitment and pre-employment background investigations are also conducted from the Backgrounds Unit of the Professional Standards Division. Through background investigation conducted on all police employees helps ensure that we hire qualified personnel.