The York County Sheriff Office is committed to providing quality law enforcement performance and effective community relations based upon trust. Therefore, we encourage citizens to recommend improvements regarding our service. We welcome commendations of Sheriff's Office personnel who admirably perform their duties. We also encourage complaints and/or questions about Sheriff's Office performance or the actions of its personnel.

Procedures for Registering a Commendation or Complaint

If you wish to commend a deputy or an employee, or if you feel that a deputy or an employee has acted improperly, you may register commendation or complaint in the following ways:

1. At any time come to the front desk of the York County Sheriff's Office located at the Moss Justice Center at 1675-2A York Hwy. York, S.C. Request to speak with a supervisor or a representative from the Office of Professional Standards. Staff will assist in supplying the proper form (i.e. commendation or complaint). These forms can also be picked-up all the District Offices, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM (See District Office information under the Administrative Services page on this website).



2. If you cannot come to the Sheriff's Office, and you feel that you must speak to a supervisor immediately call the York County Sheriff's Office at (803) 628-3059 and you will be assisted.



3. You may also make your commendation and/or complaint in writing and forward it to:
   
   The Office of Professional Standards
   York County Sheriff's Office
   1675-2A York Highway
   York, South Carolina 29745-7430
   
   Call (803) 628-6153 or 628-6257 for further assistance in this area.

Commendations

We encourage our deputies and employees to be "service oriented". Therefore, there is no greater recognition for them than to be complimented for their excellent service by a citizen.

Commendations can range from a citizen's letter to a service medal. When providing commendation information in letterform please describe the events or incident along with the officer(s)/employee's
name(s). Let us know why they impressed you or assisted you. What action did they take that made the difference? Depending on the circumstances surrounding the events or incident the employee's action will be considered and evaluated when deciding what level of recognition they will receive. In all cases the employee and their supervisor will be notified regarding the commendation received. The Sheriff will also receive the information and it will be placed in the employee's personnel file.

The Sheriff will notify each citizen that their commendation was received and the action that was taken in regard to the involved employee(s).

Complaints

All complaints shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Normally, Division Captains will investigate or assign the appropriate supervisor to investigate complaints of a less serious nature. However, complaints of a serious nature shall be turned over to the Office of Professional Standards/ Internal Affairs for investigation.

After an investigation of a serious nature it is forwarded to the Administrative Captain for review and presentation to the Captains Review Board. This Board will present recommendations to the Sheriff for his review. The complaint will be categorized according to one of the following criteria:

1. Unfounded:  The complaint was not based on facts, as shown by the investigation, or the incident complained did not occur.



2. Exonerated:  The action reported did occur, but the investigation disclosed that the actions were reasonable, lawful and proper.



3. Not Sustained:  Insufficient evidence available to either prove or disprove the allegations of the compliant.



4. Sustained:  Investigation disclosed sufficient evidence to support the allegations of the complaint.

Depending on the above an appropriate action will be taken and the complainant shall be notified. The York County Sheriff's Office has policy and procedures in place to address these concerns.