Personnel Complaint & Procedures

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The Smithfield Police Department is dedicated to upholding high ethical standards and a high degree of honesty in accomplishing our law enforcement mission. To protect the citizenry, officers, and the reputation of the Smithfield Police Department, the Chief of Police is responsible for conducting prompt and thorough investigations of all complaints received to maintain high professional standards within the Department.

With the goal of maintaining professional standards, the Smithfield Police Department has instituted the position of Internal Affairs Officer, who shall investigate all internal matters, allegations, and other complaints against Department personnel. The Internal Affairs Officer is directly responsible for the investigation of these complaints and reports directly to the Chief of Police.

Any person wishing to file a complaint may do so with any sworn officer or civilian dispatcher at the Department. That officer or dispatcher is mandated to log the receipt of the complaint into the daily police log and promptly notify the Patrol Shift Supervisor who will collect as much information as necessary to complete a Personnel Complaint Report Form. This form will then be forwarded to the Internal Affairs Officer. Also, the Patrol Shift Supervisor will supply the complainant with a Civilian Complaint Form, if one is requested.

Completed Civilian Complaint Forms must be completed online, or downloaded, completed, printed, and hand-delivered to any supervisory officer at the Smithfield Police Department or mailed to the Smithfield Police Department, Internal Affairs Officer, 215 Pleasant View Avenue, Smithfield, Rhode Island, 02917.

The Internal Affairs Officer maintains the confidential status of all internal affairs investigations and records. All internal affairs investigations are conducted in accordance with the Smithfield Police Department Rules and Regulations, Department General Orders, Special Orders, the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights and existing collective bargaining agreements.

All complainants will be formally notified by the Internal Affairs Officer of the beginning and end of an internal investigation, along with periodic status reports, when necessary.