Internal Affairs
A proper relationship between the Tallahassee Police Department and the citizens of Tallahassee, fostered by confidence and trust, is essential to effective law enforcement. The purpose of the Internal Affairs Unit is to ensure not only that Tallahassee Police Department personnel comply with professional standards but also to advise the Chief of Police of changes in the professional environment that could affect existing policy.
The function of the Internal Affairs Unit is to ensure this proper relationship and provide citizens with a fair, effective avenue to seek redress for legitimate complaints against police department employees and to protect employees from false charges of misconduct.
In order to accomplish this function the unit is accountable for the following basic responsibilities.
- Internal Investigations
- Citizen Inquiries
- Special Investigations/Firearms Discharges
- Title VII Investigations
- Tactical Apprehension and Control (SWAT) Compliance Reviews
- Vehicle Pursuit Compliance Reviews
- Use of Force Report Compliance Reviews
- Employee Traffic Crash Compliance Reviews
- Outside Employment Coordination and Compliance
- Early Warning Program
- City Commission Security
TPD Use of Force / Pursuits - Policies and Practices
The Unit also maintains two satellite offices. One is at the Lincoln Neighborhood Center which is located at 438 W. Brevard St.; phone number 850-891-4192. The staffed hours at this satellite office are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons or by appointment. The second satellite office is located at the NAACP office at 706 W. Orange Ave.; phone number 850-224-0697. The office is staffed Monday and Wednesday afternoons or by appointment.
Complaint Reporting Procedure
Complaints may be made in writing, via e-mail or the online complaint form, in person, by voicemail to our hotline (891-4322) or by telephone to the Internal Affairs Unit between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. After business hours all reports should be submitted to the Watch Commander who will forward the complaint to the Internal Affairs Unit at the beginning of the next business day. The Watch Commander can be reached at 850-891-4200.
Complaint Investigation and Disposition Process
All complaints are thoroughly investigated. A report is prepared including statements from the complainant, the accused, and all witnesses.
The report will not reflect the personal opinion, but rather present an unbiased account of the circumstances as they actually occurred. All reports are reviewed by the Internal Affairs Commander for completeness and objectivity. The completed report is forwarded to the Chief of Police for a final disposition. If the facts show there was misconduct on the part of the employee, the Chief forwards the report through the employee's chain of command for a disciplinary recommendation.