In New Mexico, citizen complaints, including those against police officers, are considered to be a public record.
Often, citizen complaints are rambling or nonsensical. Other times, the complaints allege real violations of police policies and civil rights.
In most departments, citizen complaints against officers are supposed to be investigated for their merit and could, possibly, result in an internal affairs investigation and possibly discipline.
In other departments, they’re supposed to do the same but don’t.
Citizens can and do file complaints against other departments, other officials and other employees in other departments.
