About Internal Affairs
Internal Affairs is responsible for ensuring that the integrity of the Department is maintained through an internal system where objectivity, fairness, and justice are assured. Internal Affairs conducts impartial investigations and reviews of all allegations of member misconduct or accusations against the department.
The activities of the Internal Affairs Unit include:
- Recording, registering, and controlling the investigation of complaints against members
- Supervising and controlling the investigation of alleged or suspected misconduct within the Department
- Forwarding the findings to the appropriate office
File an Officer Complaint
Formal complaints against Police Officers are accepted in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. You may make an appointment with the Internal Affairs Office to arrange and complete that process. Just as citizens who are arrested must be notified of the charges against them, Police Officers must also be notified and provided a copy of the complaint prior to any potential employment action.
The Department does not accept complaints later than 60 days from the date of the incident related to the complaint, with exception to very special cases such as criminal misconduct, or when good cause can be shown making the complaint sooner was not possible or practical. Complaints must be made by a person who “has standing:” i.e., the actual recipient of police misconduct, a person who witnesses an unlawful act by a Police Officer, or parents/legal guardians making complaints on behalf of minors. The Internal Affairs Office does not accept complaints in regard to the guilt or innocence of defendants in traffic ticket cases and/ or criminal offenses. Those matters are reserved to the judgment of the proper judicial court for adjudication.
