Ethics, Human Relations & Citizen Complaints

The mission of the Office of Ethics, Human Relations and Citizen Complaints (OEHRCC) is to secure and protect individual rights, reconcile problems, improve government administration, assist legislative oversight and enforce ethics provisions.

The department receives and investigates complaints involving Jackson County government and officials, and acts on such complaints in an equitable and expeditious manner. OEHRCC promotes the protection of civil rights and civil liberties, the improvement of relations between citizens, and between citizens and government.

The OEHRCC serves as Jackson County's ombudsman, advocating for the rights of citizens and associates, and investigating complaints of alleged discriminatory acts or unfair practices relating to county government. OEHRCC has specific civil rights and human relations duties and is the only department in Jackson County chartered with these duties.

The OEHRCC has the power to conduct formal investigations and issue reports. The ombudsman/director is an independent public official who receives complaints from aggrieved persons against county departments, agencies and officials.