1. Name

The official name of this body shall be the San Andreas Board of Commissioners, hereafter referred to as the Board or SABC.

2. Purpose

The San Andreas Board of Commissioners exists as the civilian oversight authority for the Los Santos Police Department and the Los Santos Fire Department.

The purpose of the Board is to ensure that both departments operate with professionalism, integrity, transparency, accountability, and in the best interests of the public.

The Board provides strategic governance and oversight, while allowing department leadership to retain control of day-to-day operations.

3. Departments Under Oversight

The Board has oversight responsibility for:

• Los Santos Police Department
• Los Santos Fire Department
• LSFD Emergency Medical Services, where applicable
• Any specialist divisions, units, or command structures operating under LSPD or LSFD authority

4. Authority of the Board

The Board is authorised to:

• Review and approve major departmental policies
• Review departmental performance and standards
• Appoint, evaluate, suspend, or remove senior department leadership
• Conduct public hearings and internal reviews
• Review serious complaints involving LSPD or LSFD personnel
• Oversee command-level disciplinary matters
• Review budgets, major equipment requests, and long-term resource planning
• Require reports from department leadership
• Make recommendations for operational improvement
• Establish committees for complaints, ethics, budgets, standards, and major incident reviews
• Liaise with the Mayor’s Office, Governor’s Office, City Council, and the public

5. Limits of Authority

The Board does not control day-to-day emergency service operations.

The Board must not interfere with:

• Active police incidents
• Active fireground operations
• Active medical treatment decisions
• Arrests or charging decisions
• Patrol deployments
• Tactical decisions during emergencies
• Individual officer, firefighter, or medic actions during live scenes
• Active investigations unless formally escalated for review

Operational command remains with the relevant department leadership.

For LSPD, operational authority remains with the Chief of Police and authorised command staff.

For LSFD, operational authority remains with the Fire Chief and authorised command staff.

6. Independence

The Board shall act independently and impartially.

Commissioners must not use their position to:

• Protect friends, associates, or faction members
• Target individuals unfairly
• Influence active investigations for personal reasons
• Override lawful department command
• Gain personal, political, or financial advantage
• Interfere with fair disciplinary processes

All decisions must be based on evidence, policy, public interest, and professional standards.

7. Board Composition

The Board shall usually consist of five to seven Commissioners.

The Board may include the following roles:

Chairperson

The Chairperson is responsible for:

• Leading Board meetings
• Setting meeting agendas
• Acting as the public representative of the Board
• Ensuring meetings are conducted fairly
• Coordinating with department chiefs and government officials

Vice Chair

The Vice Chair is responsible for:

• Supporting the Chairperson
• Acting in place of the Chairperson when required
• Leading assigned committees or hearings
• Assisting with internal Board administration

Commissioners

Commissioners are responsible for:

• Attending meetings
• Reviewing evidence and reports
• Voting on Board decisions
• Participating in hearings
• Supporting public accountability
• Upholding the standards of the Board

8. Appointment of Commissioners

Commissioners may be appointed by the Governor, Mayor, or another authorised government office, depending on the structure of the San Andreas Government.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Leadership experience
• Professional judgement
• Impartiality
• Strong communication skills
• Understanding of emergency services
• Commitment to public service
• Ability to handle sensitive information

Appointment to the Board is a senior and sensitive responsibility.

9. Term of Office

Commissioners shall serve a fixed term unless removed, resigned, or replaced.

Terms may be staggered to ensure continuity and stability within the Board.

A Commissioner may be reappointed where appropriate.

10. Removal of Commissioners

A Commissioner may be removed for:

• Misconduct
• Abuse of authority
• Breach of confidentiality
• Conflict of interest
• Corruption
• Failure to attend meetings
• Bringing the Board into disrepute
• Interfering with department operations
• Acting against the public interest

Removal should require a formal review and majority Board vote, unless emergency removal is authorised by the appointing authority.

11. Senior Leadership Oversight

The Board has oversight authority over the following senior roles:

• LSPD Chief of Police
• LSFD Fire Chief
• Deputy Chiefs, where applicable
• Assistant Chiefs, where applicable
• Command-level staff referred to the Board

The Board may review senior leadership performance, conduct interviews, request reports, and take formal action where required.

Possible actions may include:

• Formal advice
• Written warning
• Mandatory improvement plan
• Temporary suspension
• Recommendation for demotion
• Removal from command
• Referral for further investigation

12. Appointment of Department Chiefs

The Board may appoint or approve the appointment of the Chief of Police and Fire Chief.

The appointment process may include:

• Public notice of vacancy
• Application or nomination
• Review of experience
• Interview by the Board
• Suitability assessment
• Majority vote
• Probationary period
• Final confirmation

The Board must appoint department leaders based on merit, experience, integrity, and ability to lead.

13. Meetings

The Board shall hold regular meetings to review departmental matters, public concerns, policy proposals, budgets, and leadership issues.

Meetings may be:

• Public meetings
• Closed meetings
• Emergency meetings
• Disciplinary hearings
• Budget hearings
• Major incident review hearings
• Leadership review sessions

Public meetings should be used wherever possible to maintain transparency.

Closed meetings may be used where sensitive, confidential, disciplinary, medical, or investigative material is being discussed.

14. Voting

Each Commissioner shall have one vote.

Unless otherwise stated, decisions require a simple majority vote.

The following matters should require a higher voting threshold, such as two-thirds approval:

• Removal of a department chief
• Suspension of senior command staff
• Declaration of emergency powers
• Major changes to Board authority
• Commissioner removal
• Approval of major structural reforms

The Chairperson may vote as a Commissioner and may also cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie, if authorised by Board rules.

15. Quorum

A minimum number of Commissioners must be present for official decisions to be made.

Unless otherwise set by Board policy, quorum shall be a majority of sitting Commissioners.

No formal vote may take place without quorum.

16. Public Complaints

The Board may receive, review, and oversee complaints involving LSPD and LSFD.

Complaints may include:

• Misconduct
• Abuse of authority
• Excessive force
• Corruption
• Negligence
• Failure to respond
• Discrimination
• Unprofessional behaviour
• Command failure
• Breach of department policy

Complaints may be handled by the relevant department first, unless the matter is serious, command-level, or requires independent Board review.

The Board may refer matters to:

• LSPD Internal Affairs
• LSFD Professional Standards
• Department command
• Government legal authorities
• A dedicated Board hearing panel

17. Major Incident Reviews

The Board may conduct a formal review following serious or high-profile incidents.

This may include:

• Officer-involved shootings
• Deaths in custody
• Major fires
• Mass casualty incidents
• Terror attacks
• Aircraft crashes
• Major vehicle pursuits
• Serious medical negligence allegations
• Multi-agency command failures
• Incidents causing significant public concern

The purpose of a major incident review is to identify facts, assess leadership decisions, review policy compliance, and recommend improvements.

The purpose is not to interfere with live operations or replace criminal investigations.

18. Budget and Resource Oversight

The Board may review departmental budget requests and major resource proposals.

This may include:

• Vehicles
• Equipment
• Stations
• Fire apparatus
• Medical equipment
• Training programmes
• Specialist units
• Technology systems
• Staffing requirements

The Board may approve, reject, amend, or request further justification for budget proposals.

Budget decisions should consider public need, operational impact, value for money, and long-term service improvement.

19. Policy Review

The Board may review and approve major policies affecting LSPD and LSFD.

This may include:

• Use of force policies
• Pursuit policies
• Fireground safety policies
• EMS conduct policies
• Public complaint procedures
• Disciplinary policies
• Recruitment standards
• Promotion standards
• Training requirements
• Interdepartmental operations

The Board may request that a department amend, withdraw, or introduce a policy where necessary.

20. Committees

The Board may create committees to handle specific areas of responsibility.

Possible committees include:

• Public Complaints Committee
• Ethics and Standards Committee
• Budget and Resources Committee
• Major Incident Review Committee
• Leadership Appointments Committee
• LSPD Oversight Committee
• LSFD Oversight Committee

Committees may investigate, review, and make recommendations to the full Board.

Unless delegated authority is granted, final decisions remain with the full Board.

21. Confidentiality

Commissioners may have access to sensitive information, including:

• Personnel records
• Disciplinary files
• Internal investigations
• Medical information
• Complaint evidence
• Body camera footage
• Incident reports
• Command communications
• Legal or government records

Commissioners must keep confidential information secure and must not disclose it unless authorised.

Breach of confidentiality may result in removal from the Board.

22. Conflicts of Interest

Commissioners must declare any conflict of interest before taking part in a decision.

A conflict may include:

• Personal relationships
• Department membership
• Prior involvement in an incident
• Financial interest
• Faction or group loyalty
• Bias for or against a person involved

Where a conflict exists, the Commissioner may be required to withdraw from discussion and voting.

23. Emergency Powers

In exceptional circumstances, the Board may declare emergency oversight measures.

This may apply during:

• Major disasters
• Terror attacks
• Civil unrest
• Widespread department failure
• Severe public safety threats
• Major corruption scandals
• Loss of department leadership

Emergency powers may allow the Board to:

• Hold urgent meetings
• Require immediate reports
• Temporarily suspend senior leadership
• Approve emergency funding
• Coordinate with government authorities
• Establish temporary oversight measures

Emergency powers must be limited in scope and duration.

24. Records and Transparency

The Board shall maintain records of official decisions.

Records may include:

• Meeting minutes
• Votes
• Public reports
• Policy decisions
• Budget decisions
• Complaint outcomes
• Leadership appointments
• Major incident findings

Public records should be made available where appropriate.

Confidential, disciplinary, medical, or active investigation material must not be publicly released unless authorised.

25. Relationship with LSPD and LSFD

The Board shall maintain a professional working relationship with LSPD and LSFD leadership.

Department chiefs are expected to:

• Provide reports when requested
• Attend Board meetings where required
• Cooperate with reviews
• Implement approved recommendations
• Maintain professional standards
• Notify the Board of major incidents
• Report serious misconduct or command failures

The Board must respect operational expertise and must not undermine lawful command authority during active incidents.

26. Public Accountability

The Board exists to serve the public interest.

The Board should provide citizens with a fair and accessible process for raising concerns, asking questions, and receiving information about emergency service governance.

The Board should promote trust between the public, LSPD, LSFD, and the wider San Andreas Government.

27. Amendments to the Charter

This Charter may be amended by formal Board vote.

Amendments should require a two-thirds majority vote of sitting Commissioners.

Any amendment must be recorded and published where appropriate.

28. Adoption

This Charter shall take effect once approved by the San Andreas Board of Commissioners or the appropriate appointing authority.

Once adopted, this Charter shall serve as the governing document for the structure, authority, responsibilities, and limitations of the San Andreas Board of Commissioners.

Signature Section

Adopted by:
San Andreas Board of Commissioners

Date Adopted:
[Insert Date]

Chairperson:
[Insert Name]

Vice Chair:
[Insert Name]

Commissioners:
[Insert Names]

Authorised Government Representative:
[Insert Name / Office]

1. Purpose

This Code of Conduct sets out the expected standards of behaviour, professionalism, integrity, and accountability for all members of the San Andreas Board of Commissioners, hereafter referred to as the Board or SABC.

Commissioners hold a senior civilian oversight position and are expected to act in the best interests of the public, the San Andreas Government, the Los Santos Police Department, and the Los Santos Fire Department.

2. Scope

This Code applies to:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chair
• Commissioners
• Temporary or acting Commissioners
• Committee members acting on behalf of the Board
• Any person authorised to participate in Board hearings or reviews

This Code applies during:

• Public meetings
• Closed meetings
• Hearings
• Investigations
• Departmental reviews
• Discord discussions
• Written communications
• Public statements
• Any action taken in an official Board capacity

3. Core Principles

Commissioners must follow the principles below at all times.

Integrity

Commissioners must act honestly, fairly, and in good faith.

Impartiality

Commissioners must make decisions based on evidence, policy, and public interest, not personal relationships or bias.

Accountability

Commissioners must accept responsibility for their decisions, actions, and conduct.

Transparency

Commissioners must support openness where appropriate, while protecting confidential or sensitive information.

Professionalism

Commissioners must behave respectfully and maturely when dealing with the public, department leadership, staff, and other Board members.

Public Interest

Commissioners must place public trust, safety, and ethical governance above personal interest.

4. General Conduct

Commissioners must:

• Act professionally at all times
• Treat others with respect
• Attend meetings when required
• Prepare properly for hearings and reviews
• Make fair and reasoned decisions
• Follow Board policies and procedures
• Respect the authority of the Chairperson during meetings
• Avoid behaviour that brings the Board into disrepute
• Maintain public confidence in the Board
• Declare conflicts of interest
• Protect confidential information

Commissioners must not:

• Abuse their position
• Use their role for personal gain
• Intimidate or threaten others
• Influence investigations improperly
• Interfere with live emergency operations
• Leak private or restricted information
• Show favouritism
• Target individuals unfairly
• Make decisions based on personal grudges
• Misrepresent the Board’s position

5. Abuse of Position

Commissioners must not use their position to gain unfair advantage.

Examples of abuse include:

• Pressuring LSPD or LSFD command to promote, demote, discipline, or protect someone
• Attempting to influence active investigations
• Using Board authority to avoid consequences
• Threatening staff with Board action without proper process
• Demanding special treatment from LSPD or LSFD
• Using confidential information for personal benefit
• Interfering in recruitment, promotions, or disciplinary matters without authorisation

Any abuse of position may result in removal from the Board.

6. Political and Personal Neutrality

Commissioners must remain neutral when acting in an official capacity.

A Commissioner must not allow personal, factional, political, financial, or friendship-based interests to influence their decisions.

Commissioners may hold personal views, but those views must not affect Board decisions, hearings, investigations, or public statements.

7. Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest exists where a Commissioner’s personal interests, relationships, role, or prior involvement may affect their judgement.

Conflicts may include:

• Close friendship with a person under review
• Dispute with a person under review
• Membership of the department being investigated
• Prior involvement in the incident
• Personal financial interest
• Loyalty to a faction, group, or department
• Private discussions with one side of a complaint
• Any situation where impartiality may reasonably be questioned

Commissioners must declare conflicts before discussion or voting begins.

Where a conflict exists, the Commissioner may be required to:

• Leave the meeting
• Avoid reviewing evidence
• Take no part in discussion
• Abstain from voting
• Be removed from the committee handling the matter

Failure to declare a conflict of interest may be treated as misconduct.

8. Confidentiality

Commissioners may access sensitive information as part of their role.

This may include:

• Personnel files
• Complaint evidence
• Internal investigation material
• Medical information
• Disciplinary records
• Body camera footage
• Radio logs
• Incident reports
• Department communications
• Legal or government records

Commissioners must not disclose confidential information unless authorised by the Board.

Confidential information must not be shared with:

• Friends
• Department members not involved in the matter
• Civilians
• Media representatives
• Other factions or groups
• Unauthorised Discord channels
• Anyone outside the approved process

A breach of confidentiality is considered serious misconduct.

9. Communication Standards

Commissioners must communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally.

This applies to:

• Meetings
• Discord messages
• Emails
• Announcements
• Hearings
• Public statements
• Private discussions relating to Board matters

Commissioners must not:

• Insult or belittle others
• Use hostile or aggressive language
• Spread rumours
• Make false allegations
• Discuss confidential matters in public channels
• Make unauthorised public statements on behalf of the Board
• Mislead the public or departments

Only the Chairperson, Vice Chair, or authorised spokesperson may issue official public statements on behalf of the Board.

10. Public Statements

Commissioners must be careful when speaking publicly about Board matters.

Commissioners must not publicly comment on:

• Active investigations
• Confidential complaints
• Pending disciplinary hearings
• Sensitive personnel matters
• Medical information
• Evidence not yet reviewed
• Internal Board discussions

Public statements should be factual, professional, and approved where required.

A Commissioner may express personal views, but must make it clear when they are not speaking on behalf of the Board.

11. Relationship with LSPD and LSFD

Commissioners must maintain a professional and respectful relationship with the LSPD and LSFD.

Commissioners must recognise that:

• LSPD command retains operational control of policing matters
• LSFD command retains operational control of fire and medical matters
• The Board provides oversight, not live command
• Department leaders must be allowed to manage daily operations

Commissioners must not:

• Take command at police, fire, or medical scenes
• Direct officers, firefighters, or medics during live incidents
• Override lawful department command
• Order arrests, releases, medical decisions, or tactical actions
• Use Board status to interfere with patrol or response activity

Concerns about department conduct must be raised through the correct Board process.

12. Meetings and Attendance

Commissioners are expected to attend scheduled meetings unless they have a reasonable excuse.

Commissioners must:

• Arrive prepared
• Review documents in advance
• Participate respectfully
• Stay on topic
• Follow the agenda
• Vote responsibly
• Respect the Chairperson’s direction

Repeated failure to attend meetings may result in review or removal from the Board.

13. Hearings and Reviews

During hearings and reviews, Commissioners must act fairly and objectively.

Commissioners must:

• Review evidence carefully
• Allow relevant parties to be heard
• Avoid prejudging the outcome
• Ask appropriate questions
• Treat all parties respectfully
• Base conclusions on facts and policy
• Record decisions properly

Commissioners must not:

• Bully witnesses
• Ignore evidence
• Favour one side
• Discuss the matter privately with involved parties
• Make decisions before the review is complete
• Leak the outcome before it is formally announced

14. Gifts, Favours, and Bribery

Commissioners must not accept gifts, favours, payments, promises, or benefits in exchange for influence.

This includes:

• Money
• Vehicles
• Property
• Promotions
• Rank promises
• Special treatment
• Faction benefits
• Protection from complaints
• Influence over appointments

Any attempt to bribe, pressure, or improperly influence a Commissioner must be reported to the Chairperson or appropriate authority.

15. Use of Information

Commissioners must only use Board information for official Board purposes.

Commissioners must not:

• Share evidence outside the process
• Use information to damage someone’s reputation
• Use private records for personal arguments
• Reveal complaint details to friends
• Share internal votes or discussions without authorisation
• Use confidential information to influence department politics

16. Fair Treatment

Commissioners must treat all people fairly regardless of rank, department, role, popularity, or personal history.

This includes:

• Civilians
• Officers
• Firefighters
• Paramedics
• Command staff
• Government officials
• Other Commissioners
• Complainants
• Witnesses
• Accused persons

Everyone involved in a Board process must be treated with fairness and respect.

17. Misconduct by Commissioners

A Commissioner may be investigated for misconduct where they breach this Code or act in a way that damages the Board.

Misconduct may include:

• Abuse of power
• Breach of confidentiality
• Corruption
• Conflict of interest
• Harassment
• Unprofessional behaviour
• Interference with operations
• Improper influence over investigations
• Repeated absence
• Dishonesty
• Bringing the Board into disrepute

18. Disciplinary Action

Where a Commissioner breaches this Code, the Board may take action.

Possible outcomes include:

• Informal advice
• Formal warning
• Removal from a committee
• Suspension from Board duties
• Loss of voting rights for a set period
• Requirement to apologise
• Referral to an appointing authority
• Removal from the Board

Serious misconduct may result in immediate suspension pending review.

19. Removal from the Board

A Commissioner may be removed where their conduct makes them unsuitable to continue serving.

Grounds for removal include:

• Serious misconduct
• Corruption
• Major confidentiality breach
• Abuse of authority
• Repeated failure to attend
• Refusal to follow Board policy
• Conflict of interest not declared
• Interference in LSPD or LSFD operations
• Behaviour damaging public trust

Removal should follow a formal review and vote, unless urgent removal is authorised by the relevant appointing authority.

20. Resignation

A Commissioner may resign from the Board by notifying the Chairperson or appointing authority.

Upon resignation, the former Commissioner must:

• Return or delete confidential material
• Stop using the Commissioner title
• Stop accessing Board discussions or documents
• Continue respecting confidentiality obligations

Confidentiality duties continue after resignation.

21. Acknowledgement

All Commissioners must read and agree to follow this Code of Conduct before taking office.

By accepting appointment, Commissioners confirm that they understand the responsibility of the role and agree to uphold the standards expected by the San Andreas Board of Commissioners.

Signature Section

Commissioner Name:
[Insert Name]

Position:
[Chairperson / Vice Chair / Commissioner]

Date:
[Insert Date]

Signature:
[Insert Signature]

Approved by:
San Andreas Board of Commissioners

Date Approved:
[Insert Date]

Chairperson:
[Insert Name]

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how meetings, hearings, votes, records, and official decisions are handled by the San Andreas Board of Commissioners, hereafter referred to as the Board or SABC.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Board business is conducted fairly, professionally, transparently, and consistently.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Public Board meetings
• Closed Board meetings
• Emergency meetings
• Disciplinary hearings
• Complaint review hearings
• Budget hearings
• Leadership appointment meetings
• Major incident review meetings
• Committee meetings
• Any official vote or decision made by the Board

3. Types of Meetings

Public Meetings

Public meetings are held to provide transparency and allow the public to raise concerns, ask questions, and receive updates on LSPD and LSFD governance.

Public meetings may include:

• Department updates
• Public questions
• Complaint summaries
• Policy updates
• Budget updates
• Non-confidential Board decisions
• Public statements from department leadership

Public meetings must not include sensitive personnel matters, active investigations, medical information, or confidential evidence.

Closed Meetings

Closed meetings may be held where confidential or sensitive matters need to be discussed.

Closed meetings may include:

• Active complaints
• Disciplinary matters
• Command staff reviews
• Internal investigations
• Medical information
• Legal matters
• Sensitive operational concerns
• Confidential personnel discussions

Only authorised persons may attend a closed meeting.

Emergency Meetings

Emergency meetings may be called where urgent Board action is required.

Emergency meetings may be used for:

• Major incidents
• Department leadership failure
• Serious misconduct allegations
• Public safety threats
• Major corruption concerns
• Urgent budget or resource issues
• Immediate suspension of senior command staff

Emergency meetings may be called at short notice by the Chairperson, Vice Chair, or a majority of Commissioners.

Committee Meetings

Committee meetings may be held by smaller groups of Commissioners assigned to a specific area.

Examples include:

• Public Complaints Committee
• Ethics and Standards Committee
• Budget and Resources Committee
• Major Incident Review Committee
• Leadership Appointments Committee

Committees may review information, hold discussions, and make recommendations to the full Board.

Unless specifically authorised, committees do not make final decisions on behalf of the full Board.

4. Meeting Frequency

The Board should hold regular meetings to ensure ongoing oversight of LSPD and LSFD.

Recommended meeting frequency:

• Public meeting: once per month
• Internal Board meeting: once per month
• Committee meetings: as required
• Emergency meetings: as required
• Leadership reviews: quarterly or when required
• Budget reviews: monthly, quarterly, or during funding cycles

The Chairperson may adjust meeting frequency based on operational need, Board workload, or public interest.

5. Calling a Meeting

A meeting may be called by:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chair
• Majority of Commissioners
• Mayor or Governor, where authorised
• A committee chair for committee matters

The person calling the meeting should provide:

• Date and time
• Meeting type
• Agenda
• Attendee list
• Any documents requiring review
• Whether the meeting is public or closed

6. Meeting Notice

Where possible, Commissioners should receive reasonable notice before a meeting.

Recommended notice periods:

• Public meeting: 48 hours
• Closed meeting: 24 hours
• Committee meeting: 24 hours
• Emergency meeting: as soon as reasonably possible

Emergency meetings may be held without standard notice where delaying the meeting would create risk to public safety, department stability, or Board integrity.

7. Agenda

Every formal meeting should have an agenda.

The agenda should include:

• Meeting title
• Date and time
• Attendees
• Previous actions
• Items for discussion
• Items requiring a vote
• Public questions, where applicable
• Any confidential items
• Any other business

The Chairperson is responsible for approving the agenda.

Commissioners may request agenda items before the meeting.

8. Chairing Meetings

Meetings shall normally be chaired by the Chairperson.

If the Chairperson is unavailable, the meeting may be chaired by:

1. Vice Chair
2. Appointed meeting chair
3. Commissioner chosen by majority vote

The meeting chair is responsible for:

• Opening and closing the meeting
• Following the agenda
• Keeping discussions orderly
• Allowing fair participation
• Managing public questions
• Calling votes
• Confirming decisions
• Ensuring minutes are recorded

9. Attendance

Commissioners are expected to attend scheduled meetings unless they have a reasonable reason for absence.

Attendance should be recorded in the meeting minutes.

The record should include:

• Present
• Absent
• Apologies received
• Late arrivals
• Early departures
• Guests or invited attendees

Repeated absence may be reviewed under the Commissioner Code of Conduct.

10. Quorum

Quorum is the minimum number of Commissioners required to make official decisions.

Unless otherwise stated, quorum shall be a majority of sitting Commissioners.

Example:

• 5 Commissioners: quorum is 3
• 6 Commissioners: quorum is 4
• 7 Commissioners: quorum is 4

No formal vote may take place without quorum.

If quorum is not met, the meeting may continue for discussion only, but no binding decisions may be made.

11. Public Attendance and Participation

Members of the public may attend public meetings unless removed for misconduct or disruption.

Public attendees may be allowed to:

• Raise concerns
• Ask questions
• Submit complaints
• Comment on public agenda items
• Request information
• Speak during designated public comment periods

The Chairperson may limit public speaking time to keep the meeting organised.

Public attendees must behave respectfully.

Disruptive attendees may be warned, muted, removed, or barred from that meeting.

12. Invited Attendees

The Board may invite individuals to attend meetings where relevant.

Invited attendees may include:

• LSPD Chief of Police
• LSFD Fire Chief
• Deputy Chiefs
• Command staff
• Internal Affairs representatives
• Professional Standards representatives
• Legal advisers
• Mayor or Governor representatives
• Civilian complainants
• Witnesses
• Subject matter experts

Invited attendees may speak when permitted by the Chairperson.

They do not have voting rights unless they are appointed Commissioners.

13. Meeting Conduct

All meetings must be conducted professionally.

Commissioners and attendees must:

• Speak respectfully
• Stay on topic
• Avoid personal attacks
• Avoid shouting or arguing
• Follow the Chairperson’s direction
• Respect confidentiality
• Allow others to speak
• Avoid interrupting unnecessarily

The Chairperson may issue warnings or remove attendees who fail to follow meeting standards.

14. Motions

A motion is a formal proposal placed before the Board for decision.

Examples of motions include:

• Approving a policy
• Opening an investigation
• Appointing a department chief
• Suspending senior leadership
• Approving a budget request
• Referring a complaint for further review
• Amending a Board document

A motion should clearly state what action is being proposed.

Example:

Motion to approve the LSPD Vehicle Pursuit Policy as presented.

A motion must be seconded by another Commissioner before it can proceed to discussion and vote, unless the Board agrees otherwise.

15. Voting Rights

Each Commissioner has one vote.

Voting options are:

• For
• Against
• Abstain

The Chairperson has one standard vote as a Commissioner.

The Chairperson may also cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie, if this is permitted by the Board Charter or agreed meeting rules.

Guests, department chiefs, public attendees, and advisers do not have voting rights.

16. Standard Voting Threshold

Unless otherwise stated, ordinary Board decisions require a simple majority of votes cast.

A simple majority means more votes for than against.

Abstentions are recorded but do not count as votes for or against unless the Board has adopted a different rule.

17. Enhanced Voting Threshold

Some decisions are serious enough to require a higher voting threshold.

The following should require a two-thirds majority of sitting Commissioners:

• Removal of the LSPD Chief of Police
• Removal of the LSFD Fire Chief
• Suspension of senior command staff
• Removal of a Commissioner
• Declaration of emergency powers
• Major changes to Board authority
• Amendments to the Board Charter
• Approval of major structural changes
• Disbanding or replacing a Board committee

Where two-thirds is not a whole number, the number should be rounded up.

Example:

• 5 Commissioners: two-thirds requires 4 votes
• 6 Commissioners: two-thirds requires 4 votes
• 7 Commissioners: two-thirds requires 5 votes

18. Emergency Voting

Emergency votes may be held during emergency meetings where urgent action is needed.

Emergency votes may relate to:

• Temporary suspension of senior leadership
• Immediate public safety concerns
• Emergency budget approval
• Emergency investigation launch
• Temporary oversight measures
• Urgent public statements

Emergency decisions should be reviewed at the next regular Board meeting.

Emergency votes must still meet quorum unless impossible due to exceptional circumstances.

19. Abstentions

A Commissioner may abstain from voting where they do not wish to vote for or against a motion.

A Commissioner should abstain where:

• They have insufficient information
• They have a minor conflict of interest
• They were not present for key evidence
• They believe voting would be inappropriate

Where a serious conflict of interest exists, the Commissioner should not participate in the discussion or vote.

20. Conflicts of Interest During Votes

Commissioners must declare any conflict of interest before discussion or voting begins.

A conflict may include:

• Personal relationship with an involved person
• Prior involvement in the matter
• Department membership
• Private dispute with an involved person
• Bias for or against an involved person
• Financial or faction interest

Where a conflict exists, the Board may require the Commissioner to:

• Leave the meeting
• Avoid reviewing evidence
• Take no part in discussion
• Abstain from voting
• Be removed from the relevant committee

Failure to declare a conflict may result in disciplinary action.

21. Tie Votes

Where a vote is tied, the following options may be used:

1. Chairperson casts a deciding vote, where authorised
2. Motion is deferred for further discussion
3. Motion is amended and voted on again
4. Matter is referred to committee
5. Motion fails due to lack of majority

For serious matters requiring a two-thirds majority, a tied vote means the motion fails.

22. Meeting Minutes

Minutes must be recorded for every formal Board meeting.

Minutes should include:

• Meeting title
• Date and time
• Meeting type
• Attendees
• Apologies
• Agenda items
• Summary of discussions
• Motions proposed
• Votes taken
• Decisions made
• Actions assigned
• Deadlines
• Next meeting date

Minutes should be accurate, professional, and clear.

They do not need to record every word spoken unless the Board requires a full transcript.

23. Public Minutes

Public meeting minutes may be released to the public.

Public minutes should not include:

• Confidential evidence
• Private personnel details
• Medical information
• Active investigation material
• Sensitive disciplinary details
• Security-sensitive information
• Private Board discussions

Where necessary, public minutes may be redacted before release.

24. Closed Meeting Records

Closed meeting records must be stored securely.

Closed meeting minutes may include sensitive information and should only be accessible to authorised persons.

Access may be limited to:

• Commissioners
• Board clerk or secretary
• Legal advisers
• Authorised government officials
• Relevant committee members

Closed meeting records must not be shared publicly unless authorised.

25. Action Items

Where the Board assigns an action, the minutes should record:

• What action is required
• Who is responsible
• Deadline
• Required outcome
• Reporting method

Example:

Action: LSPD Chief to provide updated pursuit policy draft before the next Board meeting.

Outstanding actions should be reviewed at future meetings until completed.

26. Public Questions

Public questions may be submitted before or during public meetings.

The Board may choose to:

• Answer immediately
• Refer the matter to LSPD or LSFD
• Request further information
• Add the matter to a future agenda
• Decline to answer due to confidentiality
• Treat the matter as a formal complaint

The Board is not required to answer questions relating to confidential investigations, medical matters, personnel files, or active disciplinary proceedings.

27. Complaints Raised During Meetings

If a complaint is raised during a public meeting, the Chairperson should decide how it will be handled.

Possible actions include:

• Record the concern as public comment
• Direct the person to submit a formal complaint
• Refer the issue to LSPD Internal Affairs
• Refer the issue to LSFD Professional Standards
• Add it to a closed Board review
• Assign it to the Public Complaints Committee

Public meetings should not become full disciplinary hearings unless properly scheduled and authorised.

28. Disciplinary Hearings

Disciplinary hearings must be handled fairly and professionally.

The Board should ensure:

• The subject of the hearing understands the allegation
• Relevant evidence is available
• Involved parties may provide statements
• Commissioners are impartial
• Conflicts of interest are declared
• Decisions are based on evidence
• Outcomes are recorded properly

Disciplinary hearings are usually closed unless the Board decides otherwise.

29. Leadership Appointment Meetings

Meetings involving appointment of the LSPD Chief or LSFD Fire Chief should include:

• Candidate review
• Interview notes
• Leadership suitability discussion
• Conflict of interest declarations
• Final vote
• Appointment conditions
• Probationary period, where applicable

The final appointment decision should be recorded in the minutes.

30. Budget Meetings

Budget meetings may include:

• Department funding requests
• Vehicle or apparatus requests
• Equipment proposals
• Staffing requests
• Training funding
• Station or facility improvements
• Technology systems
• Long-term resource planning

The Board may approve, reject, amend, defer, or request further justification for any budget item.

31. Major Incident Review Meetings

Major incident review meetings may be called after serious or high-profile incidents.

These meetings may review:

• Timeline of events
• Departments involved
• Command decisions
• Policy compliance
• Communication issues
• Public safety impact
• Lessons learned
• Recommendations

The purpose of a major incident review is to improve standards and accountability.

It does not replace criminal investigations or live operational command.

32. Confidentiality

Commissioners and attendees must keep confidential information secure.

Confidential information must not be shared outside authorised Board processes.

This includes:

• Closed meeting discussions
• Complaint evidence
• Personnel information
• Medical details
• Internal investigation material
• Disciplinary outcomes before publication
• Body camera or radio evidence
• Private votes, where confidentiality is required

Breach of confidentiality may result in removal from meetings, disciplinary action, or removal from the Board.

33. Remote or Discord Meetings

Board meetings may be held through Discord or another approved communication platform.

Remote meetings must still follow this policy.

The Chairperson should ensure:

• Attendees can participate properly
• Votes are clearly recorded
• Confidential channels are controlled
• Unauthorised persons are removed
• Meeting minutes are completed
• Evidence and documents are shared securely

Public meetings may use designated public channels.

Closed meetings must use restricted channels only.

34. Document Control

Official meeting documents should be stored in an organised and secure location.

Documents may include:

• Agendas
• Minutes
• Reports
• Evidence packs
• Voting records
• Public statements
• Policy drafts
• Final decisions

Documents should be named clearly and dated.

Example:

SABC Meeting Minutes - 2026-05-04

35. Publication of Decisions

Where appropriate, the Board may publish decisions for transparency.

Published decisions may include:

• Policy approvals
• Leadership appointments
• Public complaint outcomes
• Budget approvals
• Major incident recommendations
• Public meeting summaries

Sensitive information must be removed before publication.

36. Breach of Meeting Rules

A person may breach meeting rules by:

• Disrupting proceedings
• Refusing to follow the Chairperson’s instructions
• Sharing confidential information
• Harassing attendees
• Making threats
• Recording closed meetings without permission
• Misusing meeting documents
• Interfering with votes

Possible responses include:

• Verbal warning
• Removal from the meeting
• Loss of speaking rights
• Referral for disciplinary action
• Removal from the Board, where applicable
• Ban from future public meetings

37. Review of This Policy

This policy should be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the Board’s needs.

The Board may amend this policy by majority vote unless the amendment affects Charter-level rules, in which case the Charter voting threshold applies.

Signature Section

Approved by:
San Andreas Board of Commissioners

Date Approved:
[Insert Date]

Chairperson:
[Insert Name]

Vice Chair:
[Insert Name]

Commissioners:
[Insert Names]

Next Review Date:
[Insert Date]

1. Purpose

This procedure explains how members of the public may submit complaints about the Los Santos Police Department, Los Santos Fire Department, or their personnel.

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that complaints are handled fairly, professionally, consistently, and transparently.

The San Andreas Board of Commissioners, hereafter referred to as the Board or SABC, provides civilian oversight of serious complaints, command-level complaints, and matters of significant public concern.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to complaints involving:

• Los Santos Police Department officers
• Los Santos Police Department command staff
• Los Santos Fire Department firefighters
• Los Santos Fire Department paramedics
• Los Santos Fire Department command staff
• Department policies or procedures
• Department leadership decisions
• Misconduct by senior staff
• Serious failures in service or response

3. Types of Complaints

Complaints may include, but are not limited to:

LSPD Complaints

• Excessive force
• Abuse of authority
• Unlawful arrest
• Corruption
• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Failure to follow policy
• Unprofessional conduct
• Mishandling evidence
• Unsafe pursuit conduct
• Failure to respond
• Misuse of department equipment
• Command failure

LSFD Complaints

• Failure to provide appropriate medical care
• Negligence
• Unprofessional conduct
• Misuse of department equipment
• Failure to respond
• Unsafe fireground conduct
• Poor patient treatment
• Breach of confidentiality
• Command failure
• Misconduct at an emergency scene

General Complaints

• Poor leadership
• Department policy concerns
• Failure to investigate misconduct
• Retaliation against complainants
• Repeated service failures
• Serious public trust concerns

4. Matters Not Normally Handled by the Board

The Board does not usually handle minor operational complaints unless they are serious, repeated, or linked to command-level failure.

The Board will not normally review:

• Minor attitude complaints with no supporting detail
• Disagreements with lawful arrests
• Complaints about lawful tickets or fines
• Active scene command decisions unless serious misconduct is alleged
• Complaints already resolved properly by department command
• False or malicious complaints
• Complaints with no reasonable information to investigate

These matters may be referred to the relevant department.

5. Who Can Make a Complaint

A complaint may be made by:

• A civilian
• A witness
• A victim
• A department employee
• Another emergency service member
• A government official
• A representative acting on behalf of another person

Anonymous complaints may be accepted, but they may be harder to investigate if further information is needed.

6. How to Submit a Complaint

Complaints should be submitted through the approved SABC complaint process.

A complaint should include:

• Full name, unless anonymous
• Contact details, if follow-up is required
• Department involved
• Name or badge number of personnel involved, if known
• Date and time of the incident
• Location of the incident
• Description of what happened
• Names of witnesses, if known
• Evidence, if available
• Desired outcome, if applicable

Complaints should be clear, factual, and honest.

7. Complaint Form Template

San Andreas Board of Commissioners
Public Complaint Form

Complainant Name:
Contact Details:
Anonymous Complaint: Yes / No

Department Involved:
LSPD / LSFD / Both / Unknown

Person or Unit Involved:
Name:
Badge Number:
Rank:
Unit or Division:

Incident Details:
Date:
Time:
Location:

Description of Complaint:
[Explain what happened in as much detail as possible]

Witnesses:
[Names, contact details, or descriptions]

Evidence Provided:
Bodycam:
Dashcam:
Screenshots:
Photos:
Video:
Radio Logs:
Other:

Has this been reported to the department already?
Yes / No

If yes, who was it reported to?

Desired Outcome:
[What would you like to happen?]

Declaration:
I confirm that the information provided is true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature:
Date:

8. Initial Review

Once a complaint is received, it should be reviewed to decide how it should be handled.

The initial review should determine:

• Whether the complaint falls within SABC oversight
• Whether the complaint involves LSPD, LSFD, or both
• Whether the matter is minor, serious, or urgent
• Whether there is enough information to proceed
• Whether evidence is available
• Whether the matter should be referred to a department
• Whether the Board should open a formal review

9. Complaint Categories

Complaints should be placed into one of the following categories.

Category 1: Minor Service Complaint

Examples:

• Rudeness
• Poor communication
• Delay in response
• Minor policy concern

Usually referred to department command.

Category 2: Misconduct Complaint

Examples:

• Abuse of power
• Unprofessional conduct
• Failure to follow policy
• Improper treatment of a civilian

May be referred to Internal Affairs, Professional Standards, or reviewed by the Board.

Category 3: Serious Misconduct Complaint

Examples:

• Excessive force
• Corruption
• Serious negligence
• Serious breach of policy
• Misuse of authority
• Retaliation
• Repeated misconduct

Usually requires formal review.

Category 4: Command-Level Complaint

Examples:

• Complaint against the Police Chief
• Complaint against the Fire Chief
• Complaint against command staff
• Leadership failure
• Cover-up allegation
• Failure to handle misconduct properly

Usually handled directly by the Board.

Category 5: Major Public Interest Complaint

Examples:

• Death in custody
• Major fire response failure
• Mass casualty incident concerns
• Officer-involved shooting
• Serious medical negligence
• Large-scale corruption allegation

Requires Board review and may require a public statement.

10. Referral to Department

Some complaints may be referred to the relevant department for initial handling.

Possible referrals include:

• LSPD Internal Affairs
• LSPD command staff
• LSFD Professional Standards
• LSFD command staff
• Department training division
• Department supervisor

The department may be required to provide an outcome report to the Board.

The Board may reopen or escalate the complaint if the response is inadequate.

11. Formal Board Review

The Board may open a formal review where:

• The complaint involves senior leadership
• The complaint is serious
• The complaint involves public trust
• The department cannot investigate itself fairly
• The complaint involves multiple departments
• Previous department action appears inadequate
• The matter may require disciplinary action
• The matter has attracted public concern

A formal review may include evidence gathering, interviews, hearings, findings, and recommendations.

12. Evidence

Evidence may include:

• Bodycam footage
• Dashcam footage
• CCTV footage
• Radio logs
• CAD records
• Incident reports
• Medical reports
• Witness statements
• Screenshots
• Photographs
• Video recordings
• Supervisor reports
• Department policy documents

Evidence should be handled carefully and only shared with authorised persons.

13. Interviews and Statements

The Board may request statements from:

• The complainant
• Witnesses
• Officers involved
• Firefighters involved
• Paramedics involved
• Supervisors
• Command staff
• Department chiefs
• Other relevant parties

All statements should be truthful and recorded properly.

Failure to cooperate with a Board review may be referred to department command or the appointing authority.

14. Rights of the Complainant

The complainant should be treated fairly and respectfully.

Where appropriate, the complainant may:

• Submit evidence
• Provide a statement
• Ask for updates
• Request confidentiality
• Be informed of the outcome
• Appeal the outcome where permitted

The complainant must not be harassed, threatened, or punished for making a genuine complaint.

15. Rights of the Accused

Any person accused of misconduct should be treated fairly.

Where appropriate, the accused may:

• Be informed of the allegation
• Provide a statement
• Submit evidence
• Identify witnesses
• Respond to claims
• Be represented by department command or another approved person
• Appeal the outcome where permitted

A complaint is not proof of wrongdoing.

Findings must be based on evidence.

16. Confidentiality

Complaints may involve sensitive information.

Confidential material may include:

• Personnel files
• Medical details
• Internal investigation records
• Personal information
• Bodycam footage
• Disciplinary records
• Witness identities
• Active investigation material

Confidential information must not be shared outside the authorised process.

Breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action.

17. Protection Against Retaliation

No person should be punished or targeted for making a genuine complaint.

Retaliation may include:

• Harassment
• Threats
• Demotion
• Removal from a department
• Denial of promotion
• Unfair disciplinary action
• Intimidation
• Public humiliation
• Targeting in roleplay

Retaliation is treated as serious misconduct.

18. False or Malicious Complaints

A person must not knowingly submit a false, dishonest, or malicious complaint.

False complaints may damage public trust and unfairly harm reputations.

Where a complaint is found to be deliberately false, the Board may:

• Dismiss the complaint
• Record the complaint as malicious
• Issue a warning
• Refer the matter to staff or government leadership
• Restrict further complaint submissions from that person
• Recommend disciplinary or administrative action

A complaint being unproven does not automatically mean it was false.

19. Complaint Outcomes

Following review, the Board may reach one of the following outcomes.

Not Upheld

There is not enough evidence to support the complaint.

Upheld

The complaint is supported by evidence.

Partially Upheld

Some parts of the complaint are supported by evidence.

Unfounded

The evidence shows that the alleged conduct did not occur.

Inconclusive

There is not enough evidence to make a clear finding.

Referred

The complaint is referred to another body, department, or authority.

20. Possible Actions

Where a complaint is upheld, possible actions may include:

• No further action
• Informal advice
• Formal warning
• Apology
• Mandatory retraining
• Policy review
• Supervision requirement
• Temporary suspension
• Demotion
• Removal from command
• Termination from department
• Referral to Internal Affairs
• Referral to Professional Standards
• Referral to government or legal authority
• Public statement
• Major incident review

The action taken should be proportionate to the seriousness of the misconduct.

21. Appeals

A complainant or accused person may request an appeal where permitted.

An appeal may be considered if:

• New evidence becomes available
• The procedure was not followed correctly
• There was a conflict of interest
• The decision was unreasonable
• The outcome was disproportionate

An appeal is not a full re-hearing unless the Board decides one is necessary.

The appeal may result in:

• Original decision upheld
• Decision amended
• Outcome changed
• Complaint reopened
• New review panel appointed

22. Timeframes

The Board should handle complaints as efficiently as possible.

Recommended timeframes:

• Initial review: within 7 days
• Referral decision: within 14 days
• Formal review: within 30 days where possible
• Serious complaints: prioritised
• Emergency complaints: immediate review where required

These timeframes may be extended if the matter is complex, evidence is delayed, or additional interviews are required.

23. Public Reporting

The Board may publish summaries of complaint outcomes where appropriate.

Public summaries may include:

• Type of complaint
• Department involved
• General outcome
• Policy changes
• Training recommendations
• Public safety improvements

Public reports must not include confidential personal information unless authorised.

24. Record Keeping

The Board should keep records of all complaints.

Records may include:

• Complaint form
• Evidence received
• Review notes
• Interview records
• Department referrals
• Board findings
• Votes
• Final outcome
• Appeal records
• Public statements

Complaint records must be stored securely.

25. Serious or Urgent Complaints

A complaint may require urgent action where there is:

• Risk to public safety
• Risk to department integrity
• Serious corruption allegation
• Ongoing abuse of authority
• Command failure
• Retaliation against a complainant
• Threat to evidence
• High-profile public concern

Urgent action may include:

• Emergency Board meeting
• Temporary suspension from command duties
• Preservation of evidence
• Immediate referral to Internal Affairs
• Immediate referral to Professional Standards
• Public holding statement

26. Complaints Against Department Chiefs

Complaints against the LSPD Chief of Police or LSFD Fire Chief must be handled by the Board directly.

The relevant Chief should not control or influence the review into their own conduct.

The Board may:

• Open a formal review
• Appoint a review panel
• Request evidence
• Interview involved parties
• Temporarily restrict duties
• Recommend suspension
• Hold a closed hearing
• Issue findings
• Vote on formal action

27. Complaints Involving Both Departments

Some incidents may involve both LSPD and LSFD.

Examples:

• Unsafe scene handover
• Failure to coordinate at a major incident
• Poor communication between police and fire
• Medical treatment delayed due to police action
• Fire response delayed due to security issues

The Board may conduct a joint review and request reports from both departments.

28. Withdrawal of Complaints

A complainant may request to withdraw their complaint.

The Board may still continue the review if:

• The allegation is serious
• There is public interest
• There is evidence of misconduct
• There is risk to public safety
• The complaint involves command-level conduct
• The complainant may have been pressured to withdraw

29. Communication with Parties

The Board should provide updates where appropriate.

Updates may include:

• Complaint received
• Complaint under initial review
• Complaint referred to department
• Formal review opened
• Further information required
• Review completed
• Outcome issued

Updates should not include confidential evidence or private internal discussions.

30. Relationship with Department Investigations

The Board may allow LSPD Internal Affairs or LSFD Professional Standards to investigate a complaint first.

However, the Board may take control or review the outcome where:

• The matter is serious
• The department has a conflict of interest
• The complaint involves senior command
• The department response is inadequate
• The matter has significant public interest
• The complaint involves both departments

31. Standard of Decision Making

Board decisions should be based on:

• Available evidence
• Witness credibility
• Department policy
• Board policy
• Public interest
• Professional standards
• Fairness
• Proportionality

Personal opinions, popularity, rumours, or outside pressure must not decide the outcome.

32. Closure of Complaint

A complaint may be closed when:

• The Board has issued a final outcome
• The matter has been referred and accepted by another authority
• There is not enough information to proceed
• The complaint is found to be false or malicious
• The complainant withdraws and no public interest remains
• The matter has already been properly resolved

The closure reason should be recorded.

33. Review of This Procedure

This procedure should be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains fair, clear, and effective.

The Board may amend this procedure by majority vote unless the change affects Charter-level powers or voting requirements.

Signature Section

Approved by:
San Andreas Board of Commissioners

Date Approved:
[Insert Date]

Chairperson:
[Insert Name]

Vice Chair:
[Insert Name]

Commissioners:
[Insert Names]

Next Review Date:
[Insert Date]