NCRB recommends training after finding detective’s conduct discouraged complainant

The Community Review Board recommended sustaining allegations of discourtesy and deficient or inefficient performance in complaint 20252817 filed by Tanya Watkins, finding missed opportunities across multiple contacts to clarify that her order of protection did not include an allegation she believed was present.

The presenter told the board that an OPA investigation did not find policy violations on every point but NCRB’s review noted that the detective "did not demonstrate an appropriate understanding" of court documentation and repeatedly relied on the fact that "multiple judges have come to the conclusion that the facts as presented are true," which reinforced the complainant’s misunderstanding rather than clarifying the record. The board recommended targeted coaching for the detective on interpreting orders of protection and a department-wide adoption of trauma-informed communication practices.

Board members questioned whether phone calls had been recorded; staff said key follow-up phone calls were not recorded in this matter, limiting the evidence available to reconcile differing recollections. The board approved the report after discussion; one member recorded a no vote during the roll call. The board instructed staff to provide the complainant with a full copy of the NCRB report and to pursue clearer guidance for patrol and investigative personnel about recording and explaining orders of protection.