“The exercise of law enforcement authority based solely upon an individual’s race, ethnic origin, gender, age, or income status by the members of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office is prohibited. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office enforces the law in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the statutory and judicial limitations of police authority, while protecting the rights of all persons. To this end, enforcement action, including but not limited to vehicle stops, stop and frisk of an individual, arrests, searches and seizures, the application of force, and initiation of forfeiture proceedings must be made solely on law, policy, and articulable facts.
Deputies will receive continued training beyond their academy training regarding proactive enforcement, deputy safety, cultural diversity, search and seizure, courtesy, and communication skills. In keeping with the Sheriff’s Mission, training programs will emphasize the need to respect the rights of all citizens to be free from unreasonable intrusion or police action.
Any person may file a complaint if they believe that a DeSoto County Sheriff’s Member has violated its policy. No person shall be discouraged, discriminated against, intimidated, or coerced from filing such complaint. The complaint may be made by phone, mail, or in person. All complaints are thoroughly investigated and the person filing the complaint will be notified of the outcome of the investigation.”
If you would like to make a complaint against a DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Member regarding an allegation of biased policing, please call (863) 993-4700 and ask to speak with the employee's supervisor. If the supervisor is not available or unknown, you may ask for any supervisor to take your complaint. You may also come to the lobby of the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, located at 208 E. Cypress St. located in Arcadia, to file a complaint. The information obtained will be documented on a Citizen Complain Form and will be forwarded appropriately for review and/or investigation. The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Undersheriff and Sheriff. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, you will be notified of the results.
If you would like to make a complaint against a DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Member regarding an allegation of biased policing, please call (863) 993-4700 and ask to speak with the employee's supervisor. If the supervisor is not available or unknown, you may ask for any supervisor to take your complaint. You may also come to the lobby of the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, located at 208 E. Cypress St. located in Arcadia, to file a complaint. The information obtained will be documented on a Citizen Complain Form and will be forwarded appropriately for review and/or investigation. The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Undersheriff and Sheriff. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, you will be notified of the results.