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Program costs. Although costs are not a measure of effectiveness, they should be clearly understood for <br />the different models of civilian oversight. Knowing the cost of the investment helps in determining what <br />approach may be best for a particular community. The costs include the police department investigation. <br />If a community has a review model, for example, the police investigative and support costs should be <br />included. The costs of investigations conducted by the oversight agency might be compared with the police <br />investigative costs. <br />Resolution of complaints. Although there are variations from one community to another, most use four <br />investigative outcomes. <br />1. Unfounded. Investigation shows the events complained of did not occur or the subject of the complaint <br />was not involved. <br />2. Exonerated. The actions of the subject of the complaint were justified, lawful, and proper. <br />3. Not sustained. The investigation failed to find evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegation. <br />4. Sustained. The investigation discovered sufficient evidence to clearly prove the allegation. <br />Investigative outcomes should be tracked and regularly shared with the community in statistical reports. <br />Police and oversight bodies have been criticized for the low rate of complaints that are sustained. A 2006 <br />Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report indicated that use of force complaints in departments with more <br />than 100 officers were sustained 8 percent of the time." Thirty-four percent of the complaints were not <br />sustained, 25 percent were declared unfounded, and 23 percent were exonerated.18 Jurisdictions with a <br />civilian complaint review board sustained complaints 6 percent of the time; those without a board sustained <br />11 percent of the complaints," These statistics are important to the community, and they require an <br />explanation. <br />Public trust and confidence. Round table participants thought an effort should be made to periodically <br />measure the level of confidence in the oversight body and the police. National polls routinely ask the public <br />about their trust and confidence in the police —community residents could be surveyed to gain insight into <br />the impact of civilian oversight on trust and confidence. <br />17. Hickman, Citizen Complaints. <br />18. Hickman, Citizen Complaints. <br />19. Hickman, Citizen Complaints. <br />Civilian Oversight of the Police in Major Cities 65A-39 <br />