The Internal Affairs Unit is dedicated to protecting the public’s trust and maintaining the integrity of the Boynton Beach Police Department and all employees. The policy of the Internal Affairs Unit is to conduct thorough, fair and objective investigations.
The Internal Affairs Unit is responsible for ensuring that the community understands the department’s zero tolerance stance toward biased-based profiling.
Bias-Based Profiling
The purpose of this information is to clearly state that bias-based profiling within the Boynton Beach Police Department is an unacceptable practice. A fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States to all who live in this nation is to the equal protection under the law. Along with this right to equal protection is the fundamental right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents. Citizens are free to walk and drive our streets, highways, and other public places without police interference so long as they obey the law. They also are entitled to be free from crime, and from the depredations of criminals, and to drive and walk our public ways safe from the actions of reckless and careless drivers.
The Boynton Beach Police Department is charged with protecting these rights, for all, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical handicap, religion, economic status, age, cultural group or any other identifiable group.
Because of the nature of their business, law enforcement officers are required to be observant, to identify unusual occurrences and law violations, and to act upon them. It is this pro-active enforcement that keeps our citizens free from crime, our streets and highways safe to drive upon, and that detects and apprehends criminals.
It is the policy of the Boynton Beach Police Department to patrol in a pro-active manner, to aggressively investigate suspicious persons and circumstances, and to actively enforce the motor vehicle laws, while insisting that citizens will only be stopped or detained when there exists reasonable suspicion to believe they have committed, are committing, or are about to commit, a violation of the law.
Should you encounter a situation where you believe you were stopped by an officer based on your race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, physical handicap, religion or other belief system, you are encouraged to contact the on-duty shift supervisor as soon as possible or make a complaint to the Boynton Beach Police Department as soon as practical by calling 561-742-6100.
Understand that each situation is unique and the officer must alter his or her response to fit the circumstance. Generally, however, an officer:
- Will provide his/her name upon request.
- Will inform person of the reason for being stopped.
- Will only arrest a person for a crime committed in his/her presence, or when the officer has probable cause to believe the person has already committed the crime.
Summary of Complaint Procedures
You may appear in person at the Boynton Beach Police Department at 2100 High Ridge Road, Boynton Beach FL 33426. You may also mail in a written complaint if you prefer. Complaints will also be taken over the phone at 561-742-6199 or via email at internalaffairs@bbfl.us
Depending upon the circumstances, the incident will either be handled by a supervisor, informally by an Internal Affairs Investigator, or formally by Internal Affairs and the Office of the Chief of Police. If your case is assigned to the officer’s supervisor for investigation, the supervisor will contact you to try to resolve the situation.
If the case is to be handled formally, an Internal Affairs Investigator will complete a thorough report regarding the complaint. All formal investigative reports are reviewed by the Chief’s Staff for approval and recommendations.
What happens when I make a complaint?
All complaints will be thoroughly examined. There are five possible dispositions and they are as follows:
- Not Sustained – There is insufficient evidence to confirm or refute the complaint.
- Sustained – The allegation is true. The action of our employee was inconsistent with the agency’s policy.
- Exonerated – The allegation is true, however the action of our employee was justified and/or consistent with the agency’s policy.
- Unfounded – The allegation is either false or there is no credible evidence to support it.
- Policy Failure – A finding or conclusion that current policies, procedures, rules or regulations covering the situation were non-existent or inadequate; or the employee followed policy but the investigation reveals policy changes are recommended.
Formal Investigation Disposition: You will be notified of the final disposition by mail.