INTERNAL AFFAIRS UNIT

Internal Affairs is a fact-finding unit for the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, which investigates allegations of police misconduct. The responsibilities of Internal Affairs are:

• To protect the integrity and reputation of the Police Bureau by ferreting out corruption and other misconduct.
  
• To protect the public interest and trust.
  To protect the police officers from false and/or malicious accusations through complete, fair, and
• objective investigations.
  

How to file a complaint?
A complaint may be initiated by stopping by the Office of the Chief, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Police Station (123 Walnut St., Harrisburg), Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and speak with the Chief of Police or the Division Captain. A complaint form may then be issued.

What happens to the complaint?
Once the completed complaint form is received, the Chief of Police or the Division Captain will review the complaint. All valid complaints will be forwarded to the appropriate section. If the complaint concerns verbal abuse and/or simple misconduct, the Platoon or Unit Commander will be responsible for the investigation. Internal Affairs will investigate any allegation of excessive force/physical abuse, crimes committed by police personnel, and the discharge of any duty weapon.

The investigating supervisor or Internal Affairs detective will contact the complainant. All parties will be interviewed, any evidence examined and/or collected, and a report of the investigation’s findings will be completed. The report will be then turned over to the Chief of Police. Final decision for the investigation of any complaint rests with the Chief of Police.

How do I find out about the outcome of the investigation?
The Chief of Police will notify the complainant in writing of the investigation’s results within 10 working days of the completion of the investigation.

For any additional information, contact Internal Affairs at 717-255-6484.

Anyone who willfully makes any false accusation for the purpose of discrediting a police officer, may be prosecuted under Pennsylvania Crimes Code 4906.