Complaint Policy

A complaint may be filed by any individual, including anonymous complaints. Anonymous complaints are accepted with the understanding that a follow-up investigation is more difficult when the complainant is unknown. Complaints may be registered at the police department, via phone, by the mail or e-mail, or by completing a complaint form. Complainants are asked to complete a complaint form, which includes a sworn statement of the facts known to the person at that time. Complaint forms may be found at the Trenton Police Department or Internal Affairs Unit . You may also download the form below. A complaint form can be left at the police station, Internal Affairs Unit or mailed in to the Police Director’s office.

• Your complaint will be sent to a superior officer or a specially trained internal affairs officer who will conduct a through and objective investigation.
• You may be asked to help in the investigation by giving a detailed statement about what happened or providing other important information.
• All complaints against police officers are thoroughly investigated. You will be advised in writing of the outcome of the investigation.
• If our investigation shows that a crime might have been committed, the county prosecutor will be notified. You may be asked to testify in court.
• If our investigation results in an officer being charged with a violation of department rules, you may be asked to testify in a departmental hearing.
• If our investigation shows that the complaint is unfounded or that the officer acted properly, the matter will be closed.
• Disciplinary hearings are closed to the public unless the defendant officer requests an open hearing.

You may call the Internal Affairs Unit at 609-989-4100 with any additional information or any questions about the case. The Internal Affairs Unit is located at 102 North Warren Street, Trenton, New Jersey 

 The members of the Trenton 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 Trenton 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 otherwise required by law. 

10. You may call (609) 989-4100 and request to speak with the internal affairs investigator about any additional information or any questions about the case