A formal complaint alleging an SIUC police officer solicited a bribe during a routine traffic stop last month was received by the SIUC Police Department Jan. 30 and is under investigation, police said.

SIUC police officer Charles Diggins said he learned Feb. 3 that an allegation accusing him of soliciting a bribe was under investigation.

A five-page complaint was submitted Jan. 30 by Sachiko Oishi, a senior in psychology from Japan. In her complaint Oishi alleges that Diggins pulled her vehicle over Jan. 12 at 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of South Wall Street and Route 13 East.

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Oishi said officer Diggins then approached her automobile informing her she was speeding. Oishi said Diggins then informed her she could either post her license as bond, or give him $50 on the scene.

He never mentioned the words, court supervision,’ bond,’ cash bond,’ or driver’s safety program,’ when he mentioned the $50, she said.

SIUC Police Department Director Sam Jordan neither confirmed nor denied that an investigation was underway, but verified his signature on Oishi’s complaint form as the receiving officer’s signature.

Jordan said an incident of this nature has never been reported to the department since he took his position in 1992.

Diggins declined to comment, but said the matter was under investigation.

Oishi said she brought the matter to the attention of the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s office by phone where she was directed to speak to Jordan.

Oishi said she then met with Lt. Andrew Smith and officer Donna Kunce. Oishi said Lt. Smith asked her if she could have misunderstood what officer Diggins said on Jan. 12.

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Oishi said she did not misunderstand Diggins comments to her on Jan. 12.

Lt. Smith declined to comment.

Jordan said the first step in handling citizen complaints is to decide the nature of the complaint or the allegation.

We have investigations going on, he said. And again we have those situations where a lot of times there are misunderstandings.

If the complaint involves a violation of a University policy, rules or regulations, then the SIUC Police Department generally investigates.

Complaints of a more serious nature which may result in suspensions or serious disciplinary actions are investigated by officers trained to handle those situations.

Complaints of a criminal nature against the SIUC Police Department are brought before the Jackson County States Attorney, where they may be investigated by an outside agency such as the Illinois State Police.