Prosecutor Assumes Control Of Deptford Police Internal-Affairs Investigations

DEPTFORD, NJ — The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office has taken over internal-affairs investigations into the Deptford Township Police Department, officials said Monday.

The GCPO will oversee investigations into police misconduct that would normally go through the Deptford Police Department's internal procedures. The decision, effective immediately, stemmed from a recent audit of the local law-enforcement agency's internal affairs functions, the GCPO said Monday in a statement.

The prosecutor's office didn't reveal any incidents or audit findings that prompted the decision, citing the confidential nature of internal-affairs matters.

"The Prosecutor’s Office is committed to working with the leadership and officers of DTPD to strengthen the department’s internal affairs function," County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns said in a statement.

"Effective professional policing necessitates that the internal affairs function of all law enforcement agencies strictly adheres to the applicable state law and directives," Johns continued. "The forthcoming period of supersession will ensure that DTPD is fulfilling those requirements for the benefit of the community it serves."

Internal affairs units are tasked with investigating accusations of misconduct within their respective police department. They operate outside of their law-enforcement agency's typical chain of command. But since investigation results can largely remain confidential, advocates for police reform have raised doubts of the set-up's effectiveness in rooting out police misconduct.

Over the last few years, the state Attorney General's Office has been able to publish the names of officers subjected to "major discipline," including termination, demotion and suspension of more than five days.

County prosecutor's offices can assume internal affairs functions for a local police department whenever deemed appropriate.

Any member of the public who may have witnessed or been subject to police misconduct can file an internal-affairs complaint against the officer(s) in question.

Internal-affairs complaints can still be filed through Deptford police, but they will be forwarded to the GCPO. Alternatively, complaints can be made directly to the GCPO Professional Standards Unit online or by calling 856-384-5500. Complaints can be anonymous.