The Voorhees Police Department will accept and investigate all complaints of agency and employee’s alleged misconduct or wrongdoing from all persons who wish to file a complaint, regardless of the hour or day of the week. This includes reports from anonymous sources, juveniles, undocumented immigrants, and persons under arrest or in custody. All allegations of employee misconduct shall be thoroughly, objectively, and promptly investigated to their logical conclusion in conformance with this policy, regardless of whether the employee resigns or otherwise separates from the agency. Discipline shall be administered according to the degree of misconduct. All employees, regardless of rank/title, shall be subject to disciplinary action for violating their oath and trust.
The goal of Internal Affairs Unit is to ensure that the integrity of the department is maintained through a system of internal discipline where fairness and justice are assured by objective, impartial investigation and review.
All department personnel are directed to accept reports of agency or employee misconduct from all persons who wish to file a complaint regardless of the hour or day of the week. Complainants are to be encouraged to submit their complaints in person as soon after the incident as possible. If the complainant cannot file the report in person, a representative from the Internal Affairs Unit shall visit the individual at their home, place of business, or at another location in order to complete the report, if possible. Telephone, e-mail, web-based reporting, and facsimile complaints may also be accepted.
Every law enforcement agency must accept reports of officer misconduct from any person at any time.
Every law enforcement agency must have a policy consistent with the Attorney General’s Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures, which provides that all citizen complaints involving police misconduct are readily accepted and fully and promptly investigated.
A member of the public who feels that they have witnessed or been the victim of police misconduct has the right to file an internal-affairs complaint against the officer(s)-in-question.
Law Enforcement has a duty to fairly, objectively and thoroughly investigate all internal-affairs complaints.
All persons filing internal-affairs complaints have the right to courteous, professional and fair treatment.
A member of the public has the right to lodge a complaint regardless of the hour or day of the week. The complainant can lodge their complaint in numerous ways:
In Person
At their location of choice
By US mail
By phone
Online
A member of the public has the right to make their complaint anonymously. They do not have to be an American citizen to do so and cannot be required to produce identification or be accompanied by a citizen before a complaint will be accepted. The police cannot report a person to federal immigration officials in retaliation for the filing of an internal-affairs complaint.
A juvenile has the right to file an internal-affairs complaint, with or without the presence of a parent or guardian.
A complainant has the right to be kept informed of the status of their complaint as well as the outcome of their complaint at the conclusion of the police investigation.
Members of the public may speak to any Voorhees Police Department Officer regarding filing an internal affairs complaint at our headquarters, located at 1180 White Horse Road Voorhees, NJ 08043, any time of the day and any day of the week. Additionally, members of the public may phone 856-428-5400 and ask the Camden County Central Communications Dispatcher to have an officer call them back regarding an internal affairs complaint. Central Communications has access to accessibility services for people speaking another language or people with who are deaf or hard of hearing.
