Which outcome term refers to a finding that the complaint did not have merit or is not substantiated?

• A. Sustained
• B. Unfounded
• C. Exoneration
• D. Unsustained

Answer: (B)

Unfounded is the term used when an investigation finds there is no merit to the complaint and the allegations are not substantiated by the evidence. In other words, the claim is not supported by facts, and typically the incident either didn’t occur as described or the conduct, if it did occur, did not constitute misconduct under policy. This is different from the other outcomes: a sustained finding means there is enough evidence to prove the misconduct happened; exonerated means the officer’s actions were legal or within policy even if the conduct occurred; and unsustained means there isn’t enough evidence to determine whether the misconduct occurred.