INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT FORM
COMPLAINT INFORMATION SHEET
INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT FORM

OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The Office of Professional Standards is responsible for protecting the integrity of the department by ensuring compliance with the highest ethical standards, performance criteria and commitment to public service. The Office of Professional Standards thoroughly and impartially investigates complaints of employee misconduct, and performs extensive background investigations of Sheriff’s Officer applicants to ensure that only the best candidates are considered for employment. The Office of Professional Standards additionally compiles information that assists in identifying trends, patterns, problem areas and other improprieties by the department’s employees.

  1. Reports or Complaints of officer/employee misconduct must be accepted from any person, including anonymous sources, at anytime.

  2. Complaints shall be accepted regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or immigration status of the complaining party.

  3. Your complaint will be sent to a superior officer or a specially trained internal affairs officer who will conduct a thorough and objective investigation.

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

  5. All complaints against law enforcement officers and other staff are thoroughly investigated. You will be kept informed of the status of the investigation and its ultimate outcome, if requested, and if you provide contact information. The exact discipline imposed is confidential, but you will be advised of the ultimate finding, namely:

    • Sustained: A preponderance of the evidence shows personnel 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 conduct 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.

  6. If our investigation shows that a crime might have been committed, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office might be notified, and you might be asked to testify in court.

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

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

  9. Internal affairs investigations are confidential and all disciplinary hearings shall be closed to the public unless the defendant employee requests an open hearing.

  10. You may call the Office of Professional Standards at (201) 336- 3500 Ext. 4540 with any additional information or any questions about the case.

HOW TO RETURN THE NON-AUTOMATED INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT FORM TO THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

 Mail or Drop-Off:BCI Building, Office of Professional Standards, 160 South River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601

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The Sheriff’s Office’s Office of Professional Standards is responsible for protecting the integrity of the department by ensuring compliance with the highest ethical standards, performance criteria and commitment to public service.

The Office of Professional Standards thoroughly and impartially investigates complaints of employee misconduct, and performs extensive background investigations of Sheriff’s Officer applicants to ensure that only the best candidates are considered for employment.

The Office of Professional Standards additionally compiles information that assists in identifying trends, patterns, problem areas and other improprieties by the department’s employees.

Internal Affairs Report Forms

Dealing with the Immigrant Community

A short description

Bergen County Anti-Harassment Policy

A short description

Personnel Early Warning System

A short description

BCSO Annual Discipline Reporting Form

A short description

BCSO Anti-Harassment Policy

A short description

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

A short description

BCSO IA Summary Report

A short description

BCSO Citizen Complaint Form

A short description

BCSO Internal Affairs

The Mission of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office is to effectively and efficiently enforce the rule of law throughout Bergen County, provide for the care and custody of detainees housed in the Bergen County Jail, provide a safe and secure environment for the administration of justice in the courts of the Bergen County Justice Center, to enforce orders issued by those courts, to assist police agencies by providing forensic and investigative support services and to educate and inform the citizens of the myriad of public safety issues that may have an impact on their day to day lives.

The Bergen County Jail includes:

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office will continually strive to be the premier law enforcement agency in the State of New Jersey by identifying, responding to, and fulfilling the needs of the community we serve.