Police Professional Standards

Office of Professional Standards - Internal Affairs Unit

The Office of Professional Standards of the South Brunswick Police Department is responsible for ensuring that members of the department meet the highest standards of professional conduct and are responsive to the citizens they serve. The Office of Professional Standards is also responsible for the thorough investigation of all complaints of misconduct against members of the South Brunswick Police.

The Office of Professional Standards reports directly to the Chief of Police. The Office is charged with administering the investigative and disciplinary processes for the South Brunswick Police Department. The primary mission of the Office of Professional Standards is to assure that the members of the South Brunswick Police meet the highest standards of integrity and ethical performance.

The South Brunswick Police Department is dedicated to providing the best possible police service to the citizens it serves. Officers are carefully selected and receive the best possible training to help them perform their duties in a fair, honest, impartial, and professional manner. Your assistance helps the South Brunswick Police maintain the integrity of the organization. If you feel strongly about the conduct of an officer, positively or negatively, please let us know.

The Office of Professional Standards can be reached by telephone at: 732-329-4000, x7460 or x7470, or citizens may visit the South Brunswick Police Headquarters located at the intersection of Route 522/Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852.

How to commend an officer

Recognition for a job well done is important.

Officers and civilian employees of the South Brunswick Police Department are no exception.

If an officer or other member of the South Brunswick Police Department renders a service that you feel is worthy of a commendation, we would like to hear about it.

To commend a South Brunswick Police employee you may:

Telephone the Office of Professional Standards by calling:
732-329-4000 x7460 or x7470
Telephone the member’s supervisor directly.
Write to the Office of Professional Standards Supervisor at:
South Brunswick Police Department
540 Ridge Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852

Please include as much of the following information as you can remember:
Date, time, and location of the incident
Name(s) and badge number(s) of the member(s) involved.
Circumstances of the incident.

The employee and his/her supervisor will be notified of the commendation. A copy will also be included in the employee’s personnel file.

How to file a complaint

Providing police services can often be a very difficult and complex job.

The South Brunswick Police Department recognizes that mistakes may be made and the actions of our officers may fall short of expectations. The South Brunswick Police Department has established rules and regulations and standard operating procedures governing the professional and personal conduct of employees and acceptable work performance standards. These guidelines are designed to protect the well-being and the rights of all citizens and employees. The Office of Professional Standards will thoroughly investigate all reports of misconduct by officers regardless of the source. Anyone who files a complaint against an officer will be treated with courtesy and respect.

Please refer to the brochure at the bottom of this page entitled Complaint Procedures Brochure for more information.

To make a complaint you may:

Call the Office of Professional Standards at 732-329-4000 x7460 or x7470 to speak to a representative Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. After 4:30 pm leave a message. You will receive a return call during business hours from our office.

Make your complaint in person at police headquarters at any time or write to the Commanding Officer of the Office of Professional Standards Office located at

South Brunswick Police Department
Office of Professional Standards/ Internal Affairs Bureau
540 Ridge Road
Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852

Please refer to the document at the bottom of this page entitled Complaint Against Police Personnel Form to document complaints against officers.

Please include as much of the following information as you can remember:

Date, time, and location of the incident
Name(s) and badge number(s) of the member(s) involved
Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses
Circumstances of the incident

Corrective action

If the investigation indicates the officer has committed a violation, corrective action commensurate with the severity of the violation will be taken. Mitigating circumstances may be considered by the Chief of Police in determining appropriate penalties. Action taken may involve:

Counseling (non-discipline)
Remedial training (non-discipline)
Oral reprimand (non-discipline)
Fine
Voluntary surrender of time off in lieu of other action
Written reprimand
Suspension
Reduction in rank
Termination

After an investigation is completed, less severe discipline is administered directly by the Chief of Police. More serious discipline will be imposed if the officer is found guilty at a disciplinary hearing. In the event the member is subject to a disciplinary hearing, the complainant and witnesses may be called to testify. Complainants will be notified in writing by the Office of Professional Standards when the complaint has been resolved, however the exact discipline imposed is a confidential personnel matter and will not be revealed to the complainant. Members of the department can appeal the Chief of Police’s decision. The South Brunswick Police Department has established procedures for members to follow in filing their appeals, just as it has established procedures to fairly and honestly investigate citizens’ complaints.

2020 Major Discipline

2021 Major Discipline

2022 Major Discipline

2023 Major Discipline

Complaint Against Police Personnel Form

A copy of our Early Warning System Standard Operating Procedure can be found by clicking here.