The Office of Professional Responsibility functions as oversight and inspection mechanism within the police department to evaluate the quality of the agency's operations, to ensure that the agency's goals are being pursued, to identifying the need for additional resources, and to ensure that control is maintained throughout the agency.

The officer assigned to the Office of Professional Responsibility will be provided with full access to all of the organization's records, property and personnel relevant to the subject under review.

The primary assignments of the Office of Professional Responsibility include Internal Affairs, Accreditation, Grant Management, Internal audits, reviews, and appraisals of agency policies, plans, procedures and records.

HOW TO FILE A COMMENDATION OR COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OR A POLICE EMPLOYEE

File an on-line Commendation | File an on-line Complaint

HOW TO COMMEND A POLICE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE:

So often we are all too busy to note when someone does something good in our lives. We only take time to note the bad things. So we ask that if you have the occasion to see a police employee doing outstanding work, we encourage you to tell the employee and us about it as well. There are a number of citizens and groups who have recognized the fine work of our police personnel. In fact to date in 2005 we have received 35 letters commending the actions of our police personnel. Commendations can be filed directly with a supervisor, written letter, our on-line form located on our web site at www.ehtpd.com. (see bottom of this page for a direct link)

CITIZEN COMPLAINT PROCEDURE:

Your Egg Harbor Township Police Department is dedicated to providing exceptional service to its citizens through a problem solving approach, emphasizing a commitment to excellence. Police employees are carefully selected, held to the highest standards, and provided with the best training available.

The purpose of any Internal Affairs system is the diligent pursuit of the truth. We are committed to this objective, recognizing that the Police Department’s credibility depends not only on our ability to police the public, but also to police ourselves. With this in mind, we provide the following information on how you may file a complaint, how a complaint is investigated, and how it is disposed.

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT:

A person wishing to file a complaint should request to speak with a supervisor at the Egg Harbor Township Police Department. The Supervisor will give you an Internal Affairs Complaint Form. If you are unable to come by the Police Department, you may call (609) 926-4185 and request that a form be sent to you. Complaints of misconduct should be filed within thirty days of the occurrence.

Citizens may also use our on-line form located on our web site at www.ehtpd.com and file an complaint against a employee. (see bottom of this page for direct link)

You will be notified by the Chief’s Office of the progress of the investigation, and you may be asked to supply some additional information. Therefore, it is necessary to be sure that you completely fill out the Complaint Form, to include your name, address, and telephone number.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A COMPLAINT IS SUBSTANTIATED?

When the investigation of a complaint indicates that official action by the Department is necessary, one of the following actions may be taken, depending on the nature of the violation:
1. Oral Reprimand
2. Counseling/Training
3. Written Reprimand
4. Suspension
5. Demotion
6. Termination

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMPLAINT CANNOT SUBSTANTIATED?

If there is not sufficient evidence to support the allegation, the investigation will be closed and no further action will be taken. Therefore, citizens should make every effort to insure that their complaint is accurate and complete and provide full details without exaggeration.

GUARANTEE:

The Egg Harbor Township Police Department is vitally interested in the welfare of all citizens and in taking action where our employees have proven derelict in their duties or are guilty of wrongdoing. If it becomes necessary for you to file a complaint, you may be assured that it will be given a fair and thorough investigation.

By the same token, if you have occasion to see a police employee doing outstanding work, we encourage you to tell the employee and us about it.

Blaze Catania
Chief of Police