EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Police Department has been under scrutiny for its handling of use of force complaints. According to data obtained by KFOX14, the number of complaints filed annually against the department ranged from 57 in 2018 to 107 in 2023. Despite nearly 700 complaints filed since 2018, only 35 were sustained.
Sgt. Robert Gomez of the El Paso Police Department explained the complaint process, stating, “Citizen can go to any Regional Command to file a complaint. They can also go to the internal affairs division and file a complaint.” Once a complaint is filed, it is investigated by internal affairs and forwarded to a review board or the officer’s supervisor.
The review board, consisting of 12 members including an assistant chief, six civilians, and six sworn personnel, evaluates the complaints. “The board can ask any questions. They can interview any officer. They can look at any piece of evidence that they want to,” Gomez said…