Internal Affairs Division

What is Internal Affairs?
The mission of Internal Affairs is to review officer involved critical incidents and investigate complaints received on sworn and non-sworn employees of the Austin Police Department. Critical incidents include officer involved shootings, pursuits resulting in serious injury, or any incident resulting in serious injury or death of a person, regardless of any allegations of misconduct. In addition, all complaints of misconduct, whether received from residents or Department employees, are thoroughly investigated by Internal Affairs to ensure the integrity of the Austin Police Department.

Protection of the Public
The residents of Austin have the right to receive fair, efficient and impartial law enforcement. Any misconduct by department employees must first be detected, then thoroughly investigated, and finally, properly adjudicated to assure the highest standards of conduct.

Protection of the Department
The Austin Police Department is often judged by the conduct of its individual employees. It is imperative that the whole organization not be criticized because of the misconduct of a few. An informed public must have confidence that its police department honestly and fairly investigates and adjudicates all allegations of misconduct against its employees.

Protection of the Employee
Employees must be protected against false and misinformed allegations of misconduct. This can only be accomplished through a consistently thorough investigative process.

Who May Make a Complaint?
Citizens and non-citizens alike may make complaints of inappropriate behavior or misconduct by members of the Austin Police Department.

How do I Make a Complaint?
Complaints against employees of the Austin Police Department may be made by phone, by letter, or in person. In order to file a complaint you must first contact the Office of Police Monitor who will then assist you in filing your complaint to the Internal Affairs Division. The address and telephone number for making complaints is:

Office of Police Monitor
1520 Rutherford Lane
Austin, TX 78754
Main number (512) 974-9090
Officer Misconduct Number (512) 974-5200

State law requires complaints involving police officers be sworn under oath and notarized. If you are unable to go to the Office of Police Monitor to formally file your complaint, a detective from the Internal Affairs Intake Office and a Compliance Specialist from the Office of Police Monitor can come to your location to take and notarize your complaint.

What Happens Next?
Once a complaint has been filed with Internal Affairs, it is reviewed and assigned a classification based on the nature of the allegation. The most serious allegations, such as those involving criminal misconduct, excessive force resulting in injury requiring professional medical attention, and serious violations of policy, rules and regulations, are categorized as Class A Complaints. Class B Complaints are generally less serious violations of Department policy, rules and regulations. These may include improper language, inadequate service, excessive force without injury requiring treatment, and negligent damage or loss of property. Other complaints are classified as Administrative Complaints. Anyone making a complaint will receive a reply letter with notification of the outcome of the investigation. How Do I Commend an Officer?
The Austin Police Department is committed to rewarding officers and employees for commendable actions and service. Anyone who feels that an employee has performed his or her duties in a particularly courteous, helpful or competent manner may commend the employee by:

• Writing a letter directed to the employee, the employee's supervisor, or the Chief of Police at: Austin Police Department
  715 E. 8th Street
  Austin, Texas 78701
  
• Phoning the commendation to:(512) 974-5017
• E-mail to the Austin Police Department

Be sure to obtain the employee's name, employee number, and the area command he or she is assigned to, if possible. Commendations become a part of the employee's personnel file.

Citizen Oversight in the Internal Affairs Process
Civil Service law controls the release of information to the public regarding the details of Internal Affairs Investigations. Therefore, in order to assure residents that these confidential investigations are thorough and fair, a review process involving citizens outside the Department is currently being designed. While the specific form of the review process has not yet been determined, the goal is to provide citizen input and oversight for more serious allegations investigated by Internal Affairs. The Police Oversight Focus Group, a committee comprised of citizen activists, City officials, and representatives of the Austin Police Department is currently meeting to establish the form and responsibilities of such a review board.