What is the function of Internal Affairs?
Internal Affairs is responsible for receiving, processing, supervising, and controlling investigations that involve allegations of criminal conduct and acts of misconduct against members of the Burlington Township Police Department.
Internal Affairs ensures that allegations made against members of the police department are thoroughly and objectively investigated.
Internal Affairs maintains a comprehensive index of all complaints received against all members.
What does Internal Affairs do?
Internal Affairs is responsible for investigating:
- Allegations of criminal conduct made against any member of the department.
- Allegations of misconduct made against any member of the department.
- Allegations of unnecessary or excessive use of force used by any member of the department in the performance of their duties.
To whom does Internal Affairs report?
Internal Affairs reports directly to the Director of Public Safety.
How does one file a complaint?
All complaints of officer misconduct shall be accepted from all persons who wish to file a complaint, regardless of the hour or day of the week. This includes reports from anonymous sources, juveniles, and persons under arrest or in custody.
Complaints may be submitted via mail, E-Mail, fax, in-person, telephone, or website submission. Read the information below and complete the appropriate forms online (available in 11 languages).
Internal Affairs Information & Report Forms
Listing files in 'IA Information Sheet & Report Forms'
If Internal Affairs personnel are not available to accept the complaint, supervisory personnel will accept the complaint. If no supervisory personnel are available, complaints will be accepted by any law enforcement officer. At no time will a complainant be told to return at a later time to file their report.
Citizens are encouraged to submit their complaints as soon after the incident as possible. Under no circumstances shall it be necessary for a citizen to make a sworn statement to initiate the Internal Affairs process.
If you wish to file a complaint online please click HERE and select "Complaint" as the form type.
How are complaints handled?
Complaints of minor violations are forwarded to the employee’s supervisor or division commander to investigate. Once the investigation is complete, Internal Affairs reviews it to determine the appropriate disposition.
If the complaint is of a serious nature, Internal Affairs will investigate the complaint directly. If the complaint alleges a criminal violation, Internal Affairs will coordinate the investigation with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
All complaints are thoroughly investigated until a logical conclusion is reached based upon the available facts.
What rights do employees have during an investigation?
Police officers are protected by the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights and employees by their labor contract.
Internal investigations remain confidential until they are completed. No one involved in the investigation may disclose any information regarding the specifics of an ongoing investigation.
Is there any risk in making a complaint against an employee?
No. But if a person deliberately makes a false complaint and statement against an employee, that person may be criminally prosecuted and held civilly liable.
What happens when the investigation is complete?
The complainant and employee will be notified of the results of the investigation.
Policies and Procedures
Annual Internal Affairs Data
Annual Internal Affairs reports for the Burlington Township Police Department may be reviewed here.
Additional Questions?
All further questions may be directed to the Administrative Division Commander, Lt. Christopher Ent. For more information related to Internal Affairs Policies & Procedures within the State of New Jersey, please visit the Office of the Attorney General's website.