The Division of Internal Affairs receives, processes, supervises and controls investigations regarding employees.

The Division of Internal Affairs is also tasked with ensuring that misconduct allegations made against employees are thoroughly investigated while maintaining objectivity by gathering all pertinent information in a professional manner.

Review these Frequently Asked Questions for more Information about the Division of Internal Affairs.

• Q: How do I file a complaint against an employee of the Broward Sheriff's Office?


• A: Click Commend/Complaint link to submit a complaint regarding a BSO employee. Complaints may also be accepted by any BSO supervisor, or you may contact the Division of Internal Affairs directly. Complaints may be received verbally or in writing and in person, by telephone, by mail or by electronic means. One option is the Public Complaint Form attached to the Division of Internal Affairs brochure which is available in all public access areas of BSO facilities.
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• Q: How can I commend a BSO employee for outstanding service?


• A: If you received extraordinary service from a BSO employee or witnessed something that deserves special recognition, we encourage you to tell us so we may share your thoughts with that employee and with the BSO family. Your appreciation and encouragement are important to us. Click here to submit your commendation.


• Q: How will the complaint be investigated?


• A: When a complaint is received, it is assigned either to the affected employee's command or to the Division of Internal Affairs. Statements will be taken from the complainant, witnesses and the subject employee. All complaints against employees are investigated provided the complaint contains sufficient factual data to warrant an investigation.


• Q: How are the investigations resolved?


• A: Serious infractions are normally referred to BSO's Professional Standards Committee (PSC) for recommendations. All other investigations are heard and settled at the command level.


• Q: What is the Professional Standards Committee (PSC)?


• A: The PSC consists of community members and BSO command staff. The PSC meets monthly to review the investigator's reports, discuss the facts of the case and make a recommendation on the disposition of the investigation. Complaints may be sustained, not sustained, unfounded, exonerated or deferred for further investigation. When the members of the PSC sustain a complaint against an employee, they also recommend corrective action to the sheriff. Corrective action can range from remedial training to termination. By using the PSC to review serious infractions, the Broward Sheriff's Office allows community review of internal disciplinary matters. In addition, the State Attorney's Office reviews any complaint where there is a possibility an employee may be involved in violation of state law. Violation of federal law will be referred to the appropriate federal agency.


• Q: What rights do employees have if a complaint is made against them?


• A: Employees have the right to review all complaints and witness statements prior to final resolution. Employee investigations remain confidential until finalized. No participant including complainants, investigated employees, investigators or witnesses will disclose any information regarding the investigation until the investigation is concluded and final discipline is rendered. Employees have the right to representation while giving a formal statement. Employees will not be discharged, disciplined, demoted, denied promotion, transferred, reassigned or otherwise discriminated against concerning their employment or threatened with any such treatment by reason of their exercise of rights. Employees must be protected against false allegations of misconduct. This is best accomplished by consistently conducting thorough, fair and objective investigations. Persons who knowingly make a false complaint may be subject to criminal prosecution and / or civil action.


• Q: What is Biased Policing?


• A: The inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics while enforcing the law or providing police services. Specified characteristics incudes, but is not limited to, race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political status, or any other legally protected characteristics. It is BSO policy to patrol in a proactive manner, aggressively investigate suspicious persons and circumstances and actively enforce motor vehicle laws, while insisting persons 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. Any contact, stop, detention or search based solely on Biased Policing is prohibited. Any type of Biased Policing will not be tolerated.