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About Internal Affairs
The San Antonio Police Department maintains a
separate unit for receiving and investigating complaints
from citizens against police officers. This unit, called
the Internal Affairs Unit, is housed separately
from other police facilities.
Contacting
Internal Affairs
The Internal Affairs Unit can
be contacted at (210)207-7365 or at their office which
is located in the Washington Square Bldg.,
at 800 Dolorosa, Suite #402, San Antonio, TX 78207. The
hours of operation are 7:45 am to 6:00 pm, Monday
through Friday. The Internal Affairs Unit
can also be contacted at the following e-mail address:
INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
Making A Complaint
Bring your complaint to the attention of the
Internal Affairs Unit as soon as possible,
either in person, by telephone or by e-mail. You may
also call the Police Information Line (227-7201 or
207-7273) and ask to speak to a Police Supervisor.
Process for Filing a
Formal Complaint
-
Internal Affairs Unit supervisors 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.
- The officer involved, and any other officer at
the scene of the incident, is required to submit a
written report in response to the complaint.
- When appropriate, medical records are examined,
physical evidence is gathered, and photographs may be
taken.
- The complainant, witnesses, and the officer
involved, may be required to take a polygraph
examination.
- Once the investigation is completed, the case
is forwarded to the Chief's Advisory Action Board.
- The Chief's Advisory Action Board, which
includes seven civilian members, reviews the case and
presents its findings to the Chief of Police.
- The Chief of Police decides if discipline will
be administered to the officer.
- An Officer can appeal disciplinary action through the
Civil Service Commission and eventually to an Arbitrator. The
Arbitrator may alter or sustain the
Chief's decision.
- If the Arbitrator sustains the
Chief's decision, the officer has a right of appeal to
a State District Court.
- Upon final disposition of the case, a written
response from the Chief's Office will be sent to the
citizen and the officer involved.
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