National City commission recommends police create an online complaint form

The National City Community and Police Relations Commission voted May 21 to recommend amending Police Department policy 10.10 to add an electronic complaint form that would allow members of the public to submit complaints and attach photos or video.

Vice Chair Zendulka, who sponsored the change, told commissioners the online option is meant to supplement rather than replace paper forms used by community members without internet access. "It's 2026, everyone has a smartphone," Zendulka said, arguing the form would let people upload evidence "the same night an incident happens." Zendulka also said the proposal came after regional research into other departments' online forms.

Commissioners asked how the final form would be structured and emphasized that the department, not the commission, would have authority over the final format and rollout. "Recommendation goes to the police department. They will analyze it," one commissioner said, urging clarity about next steps. Springer and staff said any implementation would likely involve city council approval if budgetary changes were required.

The commission moved and seconded a recommendation that the police department consider an electronic complaint submission option; the motion carried in the recorded vote. The recommendation directs the department to review the proposed language (included in the meeting packet) and report back to the commission and council as appropriate.

Next steps: the recommendation will be transmitted to the National City Police Department for review. Any change that requires funding would proceed through city council review and approval.