FAQ: What Do I Do When A Complaint Has Been Filed Against Me?

Having a complaint filed against you as an official seems to be happening more and more often these days and frequently the official isn't sure about they should do.  When a complaint is filed against an official at a USTA tournament in Texas, this is the procedure:

1.  The complaint is received at the Texas Section office and is handled by Nick Arnold.
2.  Nick determines the validity of the complaint and then asks for an accounting of the event from the one who filed the complaint and the one against whom the complaint was filed.  He will then discern the level of validity for the complaint.  He will also correspond with the person who filed the complaint to share the results of his inquiries.
3.  The Texas Section will then send a copy of the complaint to the referee for the tournament as well as the one upon whom the complaint was filed.  If you do not receive a copy of the complaint filed against you, then contact Nick Arnold and ask for a copy.  It is only right and fair for you to see the original complaint.
4.  If your area has a President or coordinator, they should be notified of the complaint.

The vast majority of the complaints are dealt with by the Texas Section office.  Once the referee has received a copy of the complaint they should contact the official personally to discuss the complaint and its validity.  They should be opening to listening to your account of the incident.

If you have had a complaint filed against you, these are some guidelines to remember:

1.  Don't overreact and be attentive to the complaint.  You may feel you have been unjustly accused but be open to any criticism that might be valid.  Many complaints are simply the result of an angry parent or player and are trivial at best.
2.  Respond in writing to the Texas Section office as well as your referee and local coordinator.  Its always best to have a written record (emails or letters) when a complaint has been filed for your future reference.
3.  Be open and honest with your referee so you can both learn from the incident.  If you are innocent in the incident, the referee should uphold and support you.  If you are at fault, then be open to admitting your error and then see how the problem can be remedied.
4.  Do your best to do your job professionally at all times.  Remember that not every parent and player are going to like your judgments but be sure you know the rules and apply them fairly.  Many complaints arise from an official simply not knowing the rules or lacking the personal skills to apply the rules.
5.  If you feel that you have been judged unfairly then personally contact your local coordinator or President and if that doesn't satisfy, then contact Nick Arnold in the Texas Section office or Bruce Sampley who is the sectional chairman in Texas.