Internal Affairs Section

The function of the Internal Affairs Section is to protect the integrity of the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) and its personnel, sworn and non-sworn. A professional relationship between officers and citizens, fostered by confidence and trust, is essential to effective law enforcement.

Police officers must feel free to exercise their best judgment and act in a sensible, lawful, impartial manner without fear of reprisal. At the same time, officers must respect the rights of all individuals.

How to File a Complaint

If you believe a police officer or department employee acted improperly, you can file a complaint online or in person:

Submit Complaint Online

Submit Complaint In-Person(PDF, 3MB)

What Happens to Your Complaint

Every complaint, regardless of its nature, is assigned for investigation.

Complaints will be investigated by, or under the direction of, members of the Port St. Lucie Police Department’s Internal Affairs Section. Statements, videotaping and photographs may be taken, and a thorough, impartial, and confidential investigation is conducted. The completed investigative report also includes a narrative summary of events, a finding of facts as determined by sworn statements of those involved and evidence, if any. The report must not reflect any personal opinion, but rather present an unbiased picture of factual circumstances as they actually occurred.

You may inquire about the progress of your complaint at any time.

Dispositions

• Unfound: The allegation was demonstrably false or there is no credible evidence to support the complaint.
• Exonerated: The incident occurred but the individuals’ actions were lawful and proper.
• Not sustained: Investigation failed to disclose sufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
• Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence.

Disciplinary Action

There are four types of disciplinary action which can be recommended when an allegation is sustained:

1. Written Reprimand: A memorandum containing a statement of charges and reason for reprimand to the employee with copies to Internal Affairs and the employee’s permanent personnel file.
2. Suspension: All suspensions must be recorded by memorandum and prepared for approval by the Chief of Police
3. Demotion: In lieu of dismissal, when an employee is not performing satisfactorily.
4. Dismissal: The Chief of Police must make a recommendation of dismissal to the City Manager who, upon concurrence, can dismiss an employee.

Non-disciplinary action in the form of a verbal warning/counseling also could be recommended. A verbal warning is administered orally by a supervisor in the chain of command of the employee and is sometimes supported by a subsequent memorandum. The employee also could be required to receive additional training.

This system of complaint and disciplinary procedures not only subjects employees to corrective action when they conduct themselves inappropriately, but also protects them from unwarranted reproach when they preform their duties properly.

Moral Character Violations

All sustained complaints of moral character violations must be reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE reviews the case file to determine if probable cause exists to file action against the officer’s law enforcement certificate.

In addition to action taken by the agency, FDLE can reprimand, suspend for up to two years, place on probation for up to two years, order counseling, order remedial training, issue a letter of guidance, accept agency discipline or revoke the officer's law enforcement certificate.

Public Record

All investigations of complaints become a matter of public record upon file determination. Information that is exempt from public disclosure is excised before release. 

Make a public records request online or contact the Records Section at 772-871-5001.

What You Can Do if You’re Not Satisfied

If you are not satisfied with the disposition of your complaint, you can call the Internal Affairs Section at 772-871-5106 and ask for a more detailed explanation. Any complaint retains the right to initiate a civil lawsuit against the City of Port St. Lucie within 90 days of the incident. Cooperation with the Police Department in its investigation of your complaint insures prompt consideration and proper handling of our mutual concerns.

What Is Your Responsibility

While the Port St. Lucie Police Department accepts and responds to filed complaints, they must be made in good faith. Should the Police Department discover the person or persons making the complaint or acting as a witness made statements which he/she knew or believed to be false, the Department could institute criminal action against that person. In addition, if the charges are found to be false, unfounded or exonerated, the accused employee has the right to pursue civil recourse against the complainant.

Why It Is Important

The standards of the Port St. Lucie Police Department are among the highest in the nation and our officers among the best trained. Our community and the level of police service we all benefit from can best prosper by your support of these standards – by commendation, recommendation, question or complaint.