Internal Affairs: Protecting the Integrity of the Badge
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Law Offices of Howard Friedman
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey recently created this 5-minute police training video on how to handle Internal Affairs (IA) complaints (citizen complaints against police officers). The video features four law enforcement officials. Some of the points they make are:
IA complaints should be accepted in any manner (via letter, telephone, or even when someone stops an officer on the street)
Officers should accommodate non-English speakers
Minors can file with or without a parent
Officers cannot ask questions about immigration status
Officers must accept anonymous and third-party complaints
Officers should not intimidate people who complain or try to convince someone not to complain