Internal Affairs

MAKING REPORTS OF OFFICER MISCONDUCT

It is the policy of the Denville Township Police Department to accept and investigate all allegations of officer misconduct or wrongdoing from any citizen.  This policy is followed in accordance with the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Policy and Procedure, which must be adhered to by every police agency in the state.

In order to fulfill that policy, located here are the necessary forms and information to answer any questions that a citizen may have regarding the process.

A citizen may make a report of officer misconduct or wrongdoing by following the instructions listed below:

1.  Citizens are encouraged to respond to police headquarters and speak with a supervisor about filing their complaint.

2.  The complaint will be accepted regardless of the hour or day of the week.

3.  Citizens will be asked to complete an Internal Affairs Complaint Form, which will include as much descriptive information about the complaint that the citizen can provide.  It is not mandatory that the report be completed, but it will assist in a complete and thorough investigation by the Internal Affairs Office.  Click HERE for the form.

4.  If the citizen cannot make the complaint in person, a representative from the police department will be assigned to visit the individual at his/her home, place of business or another location to complete the report (this may not always be the case in very minor offense complaints).

5.  While it is discouraged, citizens may make the report anonymously.  When this occurs, it makes it very difficult for the Internal Affairs Investigator to ask follow up questions or obtain further information.  This may result in your complaint not being thoroughly investigated.

6.  After a complaint is received by the department, it will be forwarded to the Internal Affairs Officer of the Denville Township Police Department for investigation.  He will immediately inform the police chief upon receipt of a complaint.

7.  If the citizen is uncomfortable reporting the complaint to the Denville Township Police Department, they may report their complaint to any other police agency or the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.  The Prosecutor's Office can be reached during normal business hours at 973-285-6200.  The citizen should ask for the Professional Standards Unit.

8.  The citizen can ask to be notified upon completion of the Internal Affairs Investigation.  However, these types of investigations are confidential and the citizen may not be entitled to specifics about the outcome of the investigation.

While every member of the Denville Township Police Department is trained in the proper reception and handling of citizen complaints, the citizen may contact the chief of police directly if they feel it is necessary or if they have any additional questions.

FALSE POLICE REPORTS TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

Anyone who makes a fictitious report to a law enforcement agency of an offense or incident, knowing that it did not occur, is a Disorderly Person and can be charged under 2C:28-4b1 of the New Jersey Criminal Justice Code.

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