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Internal Affairs

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

It is the policy of the Dover Police Department to accept and investigate all complaints of agency and employee’s alleged misconduct or wrongdoing from any citizen, department employee or any other sources, including anonymous sources. Following a thorough and impartial examination of the available factual information, a conclusion will be determined and the employee shall be either exonerated or held responsible for the alleged misconduct. Discipline shall be administered according to the degree of misconduct. All employees, regardless of rank/title, shall be subject to disciplinary action for violating their oath and trust. Committing an offense punishable under the laws of the United States, the State of New Jersey, or the municipality constitutes a violation of that oath and trust. Employees are also subject to disciplinary action for the willful or negligent failure to perform the duties of their rank or assignment. In addition, employees may be disciplined for violation of any rule or regulation of the department or for failure to obey any lawful instruction, order, or command of a superior officer or supervisor. Disciplinary/corrective action in all matters will be determined based on the merits of each case. Investigators conducting the investigation of any allegation of misconduct shall strive to conduct a thorough and objective investigation respecting the rights of the principal, any other law enforcement officer, and all members of the public.

Citizen Rights for Internal Affairs Investigations

Every law enforcement agency within the State of New Jersey must accept reports of officer misconduct from any person at any time.
Every law enforcement agency within the State of New Jersey must have a policy consistent with the Attorney General’s Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures, which provides that all citizen complaints involving police misconduct are readily accepted and fully and promptly investigated.
A member of the public who feels that he/she has witnessed or been the victim of police misconduct has the right to file an internal affairs complaint against the officer(s)-in question.
The police have a duty to fairly, objectively, and thoroughly investigate all internal affairs complaints.
All persons filing internal affairs complaints have the right to courteous, professional, and fair treatment by the police.
A member of the public has the right to lodge a complaint regardless of the hour or day of the week. If the complainant cannot come to police headquarters, the police must meet the complainant at his/her home, work or other mutually convenient location. In the event the complainant is unable for some reason to meet in person with the police, the internal affairs complaint can be made via telephone, U.S. Mail, or through e-mail. Reasonable steps must be taken to accommodate a complainant who does not speak English.
Complaints shall be accepted regardless of the age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or immigration status of the complaining party.
A member of the public has the right to make his/her complaint anonymously. He/she does not have to be an American citizen to do so and cannot be required to produce identification or be accompanied by a citizen before a complaint will be accepted. The police cannot report a person to federal immigration officials in retaliation for the filing of an internal affairs complaint.
A juvenile has the right to file an internal affairs complaint, with or without the presence of a parent or guardian.
An officer/employee shall not attempt to resolve or discuss the merits of a report or complaint. Only a supervisor is authorized to informally resolve a minor complaint that is based upon a misunderstanding of the law or accepted law enforcement practices.

A complainant has the right to be kept informed of the status of their complaint as well as the outcome of his/her complaint at the conclusion of the police investigation.

If you wish to file a complaint we request that you respond to Police Headquarters and speak with the shift supervisor. If you wish you may follow the following link and fill out the IA Form below and submit it to :

Lieutenant Oxmani Corona at corona@doverpolicenj.org

INTERNAL AFFAIRS POLICY

NJ ATTORNEY GENERAL INTERNAL AFFAIRS POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Internal Affairs (IA) Complaint Form - ENGLISH

Formulario De Denuncia De Astuntos Internos

IA Complaint Form - ARABIC

IA Complaint Form - CHINESE

IA Complaint Form - HAITIAN

IA Complaint Form - HINDI

IA Complaint Form - KOREAN

IA Complaint Form - POLISH

IA Complaint Form - PORTUGESE