Internal Affairs Unit

The Internal Affairs Unit is responsible for receiving, processing, and supervising internal affairs investigations that involve allegations of criminal conduct and acts of misconduct made against members of our agency. The Internal Affairs Unit ensures that allegations made against members of the Robbinsville Township Police Department are thoroughly and objectively investigated. The Internal Affairs Unit maintains a comprehensive index of all complaints received which are submitted to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office on a regular and annual basis.

The Internal Affairs Unit has the responsibility of investigating all allegations of misconduct by members of the department. In addition, the Internal Affairs Unit will review all firearms discharges by Robbinsville Township Police Department personnel that are not related to training, all use of force incidents, all vehicle pursuits undertaken by our personnel and all collisions involving police department operated vehicles.

Complaints will be accepted in person, by telephone, by letter, by Online Form, email or anonymously. It is preferred that the complaint be made in person by the individual who is directly involved in the allegation against the Robbinsville Township Police Department employee, so we can ascertain as much information as possible to effectively investigate the complaint. Once filed, the complaint is reviewed by the Lieutenant and assigned to an Internal Affairs officer.

Once the complaint is received, it will be sent to a specially trained internal affairs investigator who will conduct a thorough and objective investigation. If the complaint alleges minor violations of departmental policies or procedures or the complaint alleges acts of discourtesy, the complaint will be forwarded to an Internal Affairs Officer for an investigation.

You might be asked to help in the investigation by giving a detailed statement about what happened or by providing other important information.

All complaints against law enforcement officers are thoroughly investigated. You will be advised in writing of the outcome of the investigation.

If our investigation shows that a crime might have been committed, the Mercer County Prosecutors Officer, Internal Affairs Unit, will be notified. You might be asked to testify in court.

If our investigation results in an officer being charged with a violation of department rules or regulations, you might be asked to testify in a departmental hearing.

If our investigation shows that the complaint is unfounded or that the officer acted properly, the matter will be closed.

The Mercer County Prosecutors Office conducts a review of any complaint that alleges a crime was committed.

Once the investigation is concluded, you will be advised of the outcome in written form. The dispositions include Sustained, Unfounded, Exonerated, Not Sustained. The definitions of those

possible dispositions are as follows:

• Sustained. A preponderance of the evidence shows an officer violated any law;
  regulation; directive, guideline, policy, or procedure issued by the Attorney General or
  County Prosecutor; agency protocol; standing operating procedure; rule; or training.
• Unfounded. A preponderance of the evidence shows that the alleged misconduct did
  not occur.
• Exonerated. A preponderance of the evidence shows the alleged conduct did occur but
  did not violate any law; regulation; directive, guideline, policy, or procedure issued by
  the Attorney General or County Prosecutor; agency protocol; standing operating
  procedure; rule; or training.
• Not Sustained. The investigation failed to disclose sufficient evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegation.

Complaints from the public, whether substantiated or not, increase the awareness of the leadership of this agency to actual or potential problems, as well as the perceptions of the community. This feedback will ultimately assist in determining whether the mission statement and goals of this agency are being attained.

Online Complaint Form (Click)

Fillable and printable Complaint Forms can be found below.

Fillable and printable Complaint Forms in other Languages can be found below.