Internal Affairs

We are committed to providing professional services to the community and to being accountable to the public. The Internal Affairs Bureau handles complaints and compliments about police performance and services. Officers assigned to IA thoroughly investigate each complaint or incident and participate in the preparation of cases used in the disciplinary process.

Complaints

What is a complaint?
What is the best way to file a complaint?
What happens once I file a complaint?
Do I have to give my name to make a complaint against an officer?
File a complaint now.

What is a complaint?

An allegation of an act or omission which, if proven true, would amount to employee misconduct
An expression of dissatisfaction with a policy, practice, procedure, philosophy, service level, or legal standard of the police department

What is the best way to file a complaint?

Use the online complaint form
Contact the Internal Affairs Commander via e-mail
Call the Internal Affairs Bureau at 703-246-2793
Mail or deliver your complaint in person at:
- 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact the Chief of Police via e-mail
Visit any Police District Station and ask to speak to a supervisor

What happens once I file a complaint?

A police supervisor will contact you about your complaint
Your complaint will be assigned to the appropriate supervisor for investigation
Your complaint may remain with the employee’s immediate supervisor; be sent up the chain of command, or forwarded to Internal Affairs, depending on the severity of the situation

Do I have to give my name to make a complaint against an officer?

No. We will accept anonymous complaints or compliments from individuals and third party observers.

Compliments

Does an employee really benefit if I register a compliment?
How do I file a compliment?

Does an employee really benefit if I register a compliment?

All compliments are forwarded to the employee’s commander
Commanders notify the employee and place a copy of the compliment in the employee’s personnel file
Supervisors will consider all compliments and complaints when conducting periodic performance reviews

How do I file a compliment?

Send an email to the chief's office.
Contact the Internal Affairs Commander via e-mail
Call the Internal Affairs Bureau at 703-246-2793
Mail or deliver your compliment in person at:
- 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Visit any Police District Station and ask to speak to a supervisor