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Appendix A
Sample Civilian Complaint Information Sheet
The members of the Northvale Police Department are committed to providing law enforcement services that are fair,
effective, and impartially applied. It is in the best interests of everyone that your complaint about the performance of
an individual officer is resolved fairly and promptly. The Police Department has formal procedures for investigating
your complaint. These procedures are designed to ensure fairness and protect the rights of both citizens and law
enforcement officers:
1.
Reports or Complaints of officer/employee misconduct must be accepted from any person, including
anonymous sources, at any time.
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 are thoroughly investigated. You will be kept informed of the
status of the investigation and its ultimate outcome, if requested, and you provide contact information. The
exact discipline imposed is confidential, but you will be advised of the ultimate finding, namely :
a.
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.
b.
Unfounded: A preponderance of the evidence shows that the alleged misconduct did not occur.
c.
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.
d.
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 county
prosecutor will be notified. You might be asked to testify in court.
7.
If our investigation results in an officer 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 officer 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 officer requests an open hearing.
10. You may call Captain Chris Mazzilli at 201-768-5900 (Ext. 101) or Detective Sergeant Corey Berghuys at
201-768-5900 Ext.103 with any additional information or any questions about the case.