(a) Any person may submit a written complaint to the commission, which shall be signed by the complainant. The complaint shall relate to an actual situation and shall set forth the pertinent facts if known, including the names of those involved and the nature of the alleged acts or omissions. The commission shall not consider any complaint that is not submitted in writing and signed by the complainant, except that it may consider one initiated by the commission.
(b) The employee or officer whose conduct is the subject of the complaint shall have an opportunity to respond in writing within 15 days after receipt of a copy of the complaint. The response may include a request for a hearing before the commission.
(c) Where no hearing is requested by the officer or employee whose conduct is the subject of the complaint, the commission shall render its opinion on the basis of the information available; provided that the commission may request for additional information when deemed necessary.
(d) The commission shall, upon receipt of a request for a hearing within the period above referred to by the officer or employee involved, set a time and place for the hearing for the purpose of determining the facts. The complainant and the employee or officer whose conduct is the subject of the complaint shall have the opportunity to appear at the hearing, alone or by counsel, and to present any and all evidence, including testimony and exhibits, which are relevant to the issue involved. No testimony shall be excluded, except for irrelevancy.
(e) All meetings or hearings before the commission involving an alleged violation of the standard of conduct by any employee or officer shall be held in executive session, provided that a public hearing or meeting may be held where the officer or employee alleged to have violated the standards of conduct, consents thereto.
(Sec. 3-2.7, R.O. 1978 (1987 Supp. to 1983 Ed.)) (1990 Code, Ch. 3, Art. 6, § 3-6.7) (Am. Ord. 12-1)