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Internal Affairs Division
The Harris County Sheriff's Office maintains a separate unit for receiving and investigating complaints from citizens against deputy sheriffs and civilian members of the Department. The Internal Affairs Division is a standalone unit within the executive bureau commanded by a lieutenant and staffed with supervisors and investigators. The Commander reports directly to the Chief Deputy of the Field Operations Command.
CONTACTING THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION
The Internal Affairs Division can be contacted at (713) 877-5250 or at their office, which is located at 2223 W. Loop South, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77027. The hours of operation are 9:00A.M. - 5:00P.M. Monday through Friday.
MAKING A COMPLAINT
Please bring your complaint to the attention of the Internal Affairs Division as soon as possible, either in person or by telephone. We ask that all complainants come into the office (with picture ID) to provide a sworn affidavit concerning their complaint. If a complainant is unable to come to Internal Affairs we will arrange to come to the complainant’s location to take his/ or her complaint.
PROCESS FOR FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT
- The Internal Affairs Division investigators will take sworn statements from the complainant and any witnesses to the incident. These statements are notarized and treated in the same manner as testimony in a court of law; therefore, Aggravated perjury statutes apply.
- After a complainant has provided the Internal Affairs Division a sworn statement, an Internal Affairs case will be opened. A letter will be sent to the complainant stating who the investigator is that has been assigned to his/her case and how they can be contacted.
- When appropriate, medical records are examined, physical evidence is gathered, and photographs may be taken.
- The complainant may be asked to take a polygraph examination. The taking of this examination is strictly voluntary. However, state law mandates that only if the complainant takes and passes a polygraph examination can an accused peace officer then be ordered to take a polygraph examination.
- Once the investigation is complete, the case is forwarded to the accused employee's Bureau Major, who then presents the case to the Administrative Review Board for disposition.
- The Administrative Review Board will determine if the allegation is sustained or not sustained. The Chief Deputy will then review and concur or not concur with the board’s findings.
- Upon final disposition of the IAD case, a written response detailing the outcome of the investigation will be sent to the citizen and employee involved.
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