The Atlantic City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Section (IAS) principal duty is to monitor the actions and behavior of Atlantic City Police personnel and ensure compliance with the Atlantic City Police Department’s Rules & Regulations, Policies, Atlantic City Ordinances, New Jersey State laws and U.S. federal laws.

The Atlantic City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Section (IAS) is responsible for investigating complaints of serious rule infractions, criminal allegations, firearm discharges, vehicle pursuits and monitoring drug testing of employees. The IAS also investigates complaints of minor rule infractions.

The Internal Affairs process shall also be used to identify and correct unclear or inappropriate agency procedures. In addition, it will highlight organizational conditions that may contribute to any misconduct, such as poor selection and recruitment procedures or inadequate training and supervision of officers.

The Atlantic City Police Department is committed to providing law enforcement services that are fair, effective and impartially applied. Toward that end, officers are held to the highest standards of official conduct and are expected to respect the rights of all citizens.

Officers' adherence to these standards, motivated by a moral and professional obligation to perform their job to the best of their ability, is the ultimate objective of this agency.

How to File a Complaint

The Atlantic City Police Department takes external complaints seriously and understands that public trust and participation is an integral part of policing in our society. The complaint process should not be an inconvenient or overwhelming task.

The Internal Affairs Section (IAS) accepts complaints in-person, by phone, letter or webform. If you are mobility-impaired and cannot come to us, we can come to a safe location, suitable to you.

The Internal Affairs Section (IAS) accepts anonymous complaints, third-party complaints and complaints from unaccompanied juveniles (though we prefer that juveniles involve their parents or guardians).

Immigrants who seek to file complaints will NOT be asked about their immigration status.

A complaint should be filed when you witness or experience a personal encounter with any Atlantic City Police Department personnel that involves criminal conduct, misconduct, abusive or discriminatory behavior, neglect of duty, corrupt activity, inappropriate conduct or a violation of rules and regulations of the Atlantic City Police Department.

Although the recommended method for making a complaint is to respond to Internal Affairs Office located on the 5th floor of 1301 Bacharach Boulevard (suite 505), Atlantic City, NJ, 08401, complaints can also be filed:

• In person at a Police Facility: Go to any public, open police facility or substation and ask to speak to a supervisor.

• By Email: Email the complaint to InternalAffairs@acpolice.org

• By Telephone: Call the Internal Affairs Office at (609) 347-5833 or You may request that an on-duty supervisor take your complaint over the phone at any time by calling (609) 347-5780

• At your location or where the incident occurred: You may request that an on-duty supervisor respond to your location (Atlantic City area) at any time to take your complaint by calling (609) 347-5780.

• Online: Scroll to the bottom of this screen and click the tab titled Internal Affairs Complaint Forms. Select the Internal Affairs Report Form tab in your preferred language and complete the form. Be descriptive as possible when describing the incident in question.

• By Mail: Complete an Internal Affairs Complaint Form which is physically available at every police facility or substation or printable on this page. The form can be completed and mailed or faxed to the Atlantic City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Section (IAS). The address and fax number are provided below. You can also write a letter and mail it or fax it to the Internal Affairs Section (IAS) using the contact information provided below.
  
  Atlantic City Police Department Internal Affairs Office
  City of Atlantic City, City Hall Building
  1301 Bacharach Boulevard, 5th floor – Suite 505 (free onsite parking for City Hall visitors)
  Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
  Phone number: (609) 347-5833
  FAX number: (609) 347-5346

Anonymous Complaints

The Internal Affairs Section (IAS) will accept and investigate your complaint even if you do not wish to provide your personal information and would prefer to remain anonymous. Remember, the more information you provide about what happened, the better we can assist in addressing your concerns.

How Complaints Are Investigated

The Internal Affairs Section (IAS) reviews all complaints. It is the policy of the Atlantic City Police Department to accept and investigate all complaints of alleged officer misconduct or wrongdoing from any internal agency, external agency, citizen and/or anonymous source(s). The complaints are then assigned to an investigator. All citizen complaints are handled by Internal Affairs Section Investigators. Complaints from officers may be handled by the Internal Affairs Section (IAS) or referred to the department’s administration, depending on its severity.

A thorough investigation means interviewing all witnesses, reviewing internal records and assessing the credibility of all claims. Upon completion and review of a thorough and impartial investigation of the available factual information, a final disposition is determined. The subject officer shall receive one of the following dispositions:

• 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.

How is Discipline Administered?

Any disciplinary action against an employee must be in accordance with the Atlantic City Police Department rules, state statutes and local civil service rules. Discipline is administered according to the degree of misconduct and any prior disciplinary action. An employee may be subjected to the following disciplinary action if found in violation of any departmental regulations:

• Additional training and/or counseling

• Reprimand

• Suspension from duty

• Fine imposed

• Termination or demotion

What Can Complainants Expect?

Complainants will be notified of the disposition in writing after the investigation is completed. It will be sent by both certified and regular mail to the address you provide. Complainants may be asked to testify in a Departmental or Administrative Hearing if the investigation upholds your allegation against the officer.

We appreciate your time in participating in the complaint and review process. Our Officers are held to the highest standards and we encourage members of the public to bring important matters involving them to our attention. Similarly, if you would like to commend an Officer or Employee of the Atlantic City Police Department for their actions, you may do so by writing a letter to the department or selecting the tab titled Officer Commendation Form.

File a Complaint

If you wish to start the complaint process, select and complete the Internal Affairs Complaint Form in your preferred language or visit the Internal Affairs Office located at 1301 Bacharach Boulevard, Room #505, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.
 

Officer Commendation Form

 

Annual Reporting

 

Policy & Procedure

Internal Affairs Policy

Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy

Early Warning Alert System