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Internal Affairs
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Hollywood Police Department is to enhance the quality of life for every individual in the City of Hollywood. Our foundation is built on integrity. We take pride in our organization and the community we serve. We are accountable to ourselves and the community while providing service with courtesy, compassion and empathy. We are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the community by always performing at our personal best. We are committed to continued progressive policing in partnership with our community.
The Internal Affairs Unit
Internal Affairs primary function is to receive, process and investigate complaints made against members of the Hollywood Police Department. When a complaint is received, every effort is made to ensure a thorough, timely, and fair investigation of the allegation(s) contained in the complaint. The openness of the Department in the acceptance of a complaint is a principle element of professionalism and community responsiveness. All complaints are processed and reviewed by the Internal Affairs Unit and submitted to the Chief of Police for review and final disposition.
Internal Affairs Unit duties include:
• Investigating alleged misconduct by Department members.
• Providing assistance to supervisors in investigations of alleged misconduct by Department members.
• Investigating critical incidents (e.g., member involved shootings).
• Record, register, and control the investigation of complaints against members.
• Maintain the confidentiality of the Internal Affairs Unit's investigations and records.
• Prepare a quarterly report of incidents investigated and/or logged by the Internal Affairs Unit.
Current Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)
SOP 104 - Professional Compliance
SOP110 - Code of Ethics
SOP 121 - Unbiased Policing
SOP 200 - Response to Resistance
SOP 200.1 - Response to Resistance Reporting Procedures
SOP 201 - Response to Resistance Special Impact Weapons and Chemical Agents
The Hollywood Police Department welcomes both positive and negative comments from all members of the public regarding their experience with the Hollywood Police Department.
Compliment/Complaint Process:
All complaints will be accepted by the Internal Affairs Unit and can be received in person, by letter, by complaint form, by telephone, or by e-mail. Anonymous complaints are also accepted. The Office of the Chief of Police will review all complaints and a determination will be made to assign the complaint to the appropriate Division Major or the Internal Affairs Unit for investigation. Following a thorough and impartial investigation, a disposition will be rendered based on all available factual information. The complainant will be contacted at the completion of the investigation, and will have an opportunity to discuss the disposition of the complaint.
Step 1: You may contact the Hollywood Police Internal Affairs Unit at 954-967-4398, by email to IA@hollywoodfl.org, or via the Public Information Desk at 954-967-4636.
Step 2: Compliments/Complaints can be documented on a Compliment/Complaint Intake Form. Forms are located in the lobby of Police Headquarters.
Step 3: Completed Compliment/Complaint Intake Forms may be hand-delivered to any On-Duty Supervisor, hand-delivered to the Public Information Desk in the lobby of Police Headquarters, mailed or faxed to the number included on the Compliment/Complaint Intake Form, or emailed to IA@hollywoodfl.org.
Complaints can also be submitted electronically via our online Complaint Intake Form.
You may also download a Complaint Intake Form here. You must have Adobe Acrobat in order to open the file.
English Compliment/Complaint Intake Form
Spanish Compliment/Complaint Intake Form
French Compliment/Complaint intake Form
Creole Compliment/Complaint Intake Form
You must print, fill out, then mail, fax or hand-deliver the form to:
Hollywood Police Department
Internal Affairs Unit
2741 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Florida 33312
954-967-4398 (Internal Affairs Unit)
954-967-4313 (Fax)
Step 4: You may at any time speak with an On-Duty Supervisor to initiate a complaint on any Member of the Police Department.
Step 5: Upon receipt of the complaint, you will be contacted by the investigating Supervisor or the Internal Affairs Unit. At this step you may be requested to provide a sworn statement(s), produce any evidence of allegations and/or discuss the complaint in detail.
The average investigation takes from 30 days to 6 months to complete. This would depend on the complexity of the case, the availability of witnesses, and the involvement of other agencies, such as the State Attorney's Office.
All complaints are kept confidential and are not subject to public disclosure prior to the completion of the investigation. Once completed, you can obtain a copy by submitting a Public Records request via the Hollywood Police Department Records Section. Per Florida State Statute Chapter 119, there may be a charge for copying these documents.
The results of all complaints are called findings and there are seven classifications:
Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence to conclude the Member committed one or more of the alleged violation(s).
Not Sustained: There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the complaint.
Unfounded: Proof exists the accused Member was not involved in the incident or the incident did not actually occur.
Exonerated: The incident occurred, however, the Member’s actions were justified, Lawful, or in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure.
Administrative Closure: This disposition is for Internal Affairs may utilize this disposition for, but not limited to: misunderstanding of law, non-complaints, allegation made was not a Hollywood Police Officer.
Withdrawn: The complainant freely and voluntarily withdraws the complaint. This will be documented on the Withdrawal Form with the complainant’s signature, if available. If the complainant is unable to confirm with a signature, this will be documented on the Withdrawal Form.
Correction Action/Discipline for violation of Departmental Policies can result in the following outcomes:
Verbal Counseling
Remedial Training
Unsatisfactory Observed Behavior Report (Sworn Members)
Written Reprimand (Civilian Members)
Suspension from duty without pay
Demotion (for ranking Members)
Termination from the Department
Is there any risk in making a complaint against a Member of the Police Department?
***In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Justice Policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, contact or write Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-307-2027 (TDD/TYY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech), or 800-845-6136 (Spanish). Or contact the Department of Legal Affairs, PL-01 The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399, or call 850-414-3300.***
No, unless you deliberately make a false complaint against any Police Department Member, then you may be prosecuted criminally and/or be held civilly liable.
Officers are protected by the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights pursuant to Florida State Statute Chapter 112 and their labor agreement. Both provide that the Officer shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or threats from Supervisors. Officers have a right to counsel or union representation during the investigation.
How do I Electronically Submit a Commendation to a Member for a Job Well Done?
Members of the Hollywood Police Department make every effort to perform their duties in a fair, competent, and professional manner. Many members surpass the expectations of the public by providing exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty. If you observe a Hollywood Police Department Member performing their duties in a manner you think is exceptional, then we encourage you to take a moment and tell us about it.
Our members take great pride in being recognized by members of the public when they have performed their duties in an exceptional manner. Positive citizen commendations improve member morale and encourage all members to work harder to improve their individual performance, and the quality of the services they provide to the public.
If you would like to tell us about the exceptional service that you received, or you observed being done for someone else, you may write to the Chief of Police at the address provided above or, if you prefer, you may use the online form we've provided for that purpose. The online form can be accessed below. Please accept our sincere gratitude for sharing your experience with us!
Commendation Form
Questions or Recommendations The Hollywood Police Department is committed to providing excellent Police service to our community. Citizen cooperation and input is essential for the Department to succeed in this goal. If you have any questions or recommendations on how the Hollywood Police Department can improve your Police service, please call the Office of the Chief of Police at 954-967-4300 or mail correspondences directly to the Chief of Police at 3250 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33021.
The purpose of the Hollywood Police Department is to enhance the quality of life for every individual in the City of Hollywood. Our foundation is built on integrity. We take pride in our organization and the community we serve. We are accountable to ourselves and the community while providing service with courtesy, compassion and empathy. We are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the community by always performing at our personal best. We are committed to continued progressive policing in partnership with our community.
The Internal Affairs Unit
Internal Affairs primary function is to receive, process and investigate complaints made against members of the Hollywood Police Department. When a complaint is received, every effort is made to ensure a thorough, timely, and fair investigation of the allegation(s) contained in the complaint. The openness of the Department in the acceptance of a complaint is a principle element of professionalism and community responsiveness. All complaints are processed and reviewed by the Internal Affairs Unit and submitted to the Chief of Police for review and final disposition.
Internal Affairs Unit duties include:
• Investigating alleged misconduct by Department members.
• Providing assistance to supervisors in investigations of alleged misconduct by Department members.
• Investigating critical incidents (e.g., member involved shootings).
• Record, register, and control the investigation of complaints against members.
• Maintain the confidentiality of the Internal Affairs Unit's investigations and records.
• Prepare a quarterly report of incidents investigated and/or logged by the Internal Affairs Unit.
Current Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)
SOP 104 - Professional Compliance
SOP110 - Code of Ethics
SOP 121 - Unbiased Policing
SOP 200 - Response to Resistance
SOP 200.1 - Response to Resistance Reporting Procedures
SOP 201 - Response to Resistance Special Impact Weapons and Chemical Agents
How do I file a complaint against a Member of the Police Department?
The Hollywood Police Department welcomes both positive and negative comments from all members of the public regarding their experience with the Hollywood Police Department.
Compliment/Complaint Process:
All complaints will be accepted by the Internal Affairs Unit and can be received in person, by letter, by complaint form, by telephone, or by e-mail. Anonymous complaints are also accepted. The Office of the Chief of Police will review all complaints and a determination will be made to assign the complaint to the appropriate Division Major or the Internal Affairs Unit for investigation. Following a thorough and impartial investigation, a disposition will be rendered based on all available factual information. The complainant will be contacted at the completion of the investigation, and will have an opportunity to discuss the disposition of the complaint.
Step 1: You may contact the Hollywood Police Internal Affairs Unit at 954-967-4398, by email to IA@hollywoodfl.org, or via the Public Information Desk at 954-967-4636.
Step 2: Compliments/Complaints can be documented on a Compliment/Complaint Intake Form. Forms are located in the lobby of Police Headquarters.
Step 3: Completed Compliment/Complaint Intake Forms may be hand-delivered to any On-Duty Supervisor, hand-delivered to the Public Information Desk in the lobby of Police Headquarters, mailed or faxed to the number included on the Compliment/Complaint Intake Form, or emailed to IA@hollywoodfl.org.
Complaints can also be submitted electronically via our online Complaint Intake Form.
You may also download a Complaint Intake Form here. You must have Adobe Acrobat in order to open the file.
English Compliment/Complaint Intake Form
Spanish Compliment/Complaint Intake Form
French Compliment/Complaint intake Form
Creole Compliment/Complaint Intake Form
You must print, fill out, then mail, fax or hand-deliver the form to:
Hollywood Police Department
Internal Affairs Unit
2741 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Florida 33312
954-967-4398 (Internal Affairs Unit)
954-967-4313 (Fax)
Step 4: You may at any time speak with an On-Duty Supervisor to initiate a complaint on any Member of the Police Department.
Step 5: Upon receipt of the complaint, you will be contacted by the investigating Supervisor or the Internal Affairs Unit. At this step you may be requested to provide a sworn statement(s), produce any evidence of allegations and/or discuss the complaint in detail.
How long does it take to complete the investigation?
The average investigation takes from 30 days to 6 months to complete. This would depend on the complexity of the case, the availability of witnesses, and the involvement of other agencies, such as the State Attorney's Office.
Will I be able to see the completed investigation?
All complaints are kept confidential and are not subject to public disclosure prior to the completion of the investigation. Once completed, you can obtain a copy by submitting a Public Records request via the Hollywood Police Department Records Section. Per Florida State Statute Chapter 119, there may be a charge for copying these documents.
How will an investigation be classified?
The results of all complaints are called findings and there are seven classifications:
Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence to conclude the Member committed one or more of the alleged violation(s).
Not Sustained: There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the complaint.
Unfounded: Proof exists the accused Member was not involved in the incident or the incident did not actually occur.
Exonerated: The incident occurred, however, the Member’s actions were justified, Lawful, or in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure.
Administrative Closure: This disposition is for Internal Affairs may utilize this disposition for, but not limited to: misunderstanding of law, non-complaints, allegation made was not a Hollywood Police Officer.
Withdrawn: The complainant freely and voluntarily withdraws the complaint. This will be documented on the Withdrawal Form with the complainant’s signature, if available. If the complainant is unable to confirm with a signature, this will be documented on the Withdrawal Form.
If the complaint is sustained, what type of corrective action/discipline will the Member receive?
Correction Action/Discipline for violation of Departmental Policies can result in the following outcomes:
Verbal Counseling
Remedial Training
Unsatisfactory Observed Behavior Report (Sworn Members)
Written Reprimand (Civilian Members)
Suspension from duty without pay
Demotion (for ranking Members)
Termination from the Department
Is there any risk in making a complaint against a Member of the Police Department?
***In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Justice Policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, contact or write Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-307-2027 (TDD/TYY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech), or 800-845-6136 (Spanish). Or contact the Department of Legal Affairs, PL-01 The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399, or call 850-414-3300.***
No, unless you deliberately make a false complaint against any Police Department Member, then you may be prosecuted criminally and/or be held civilly liable.
What rights do Police Officers have when a complaint is made against them?
Officers are protected by the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights pursuant to Florida State Statute Chapter 112 and their labor agreement. Both provide that the Officer shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or threats from Supervisors. Officers have a right to counsel or union representation during the investigation.
How do I Electronically Submit a Commendation to a Member for a Job Well Done?
Members of the Hollywood Police Department make every effort to perform their duties in a fair, competent, and professional manner. Many members surpass the expectations of the public by providing exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty. If you observe a Hollywood Police Department Member performing their duties in a manner you think is exceptional, then we encourage you to take a moment and tell us about it.
Our members take great pride in being recognized by members of the public when they have performed their duties in an exceptional manner. Positive citizen commendations improve member morale and encourage all members to work harder to improve their individual performance, and the quality of the services they provide to the public.
If you would like to tell us about the exceptional service that you received, or you observed being done for someone else, you may write to the Chief of Police at the address provided above or, if you prefer, you may use the online form we've provided for that purpose. The online form can be accessed below. Please accept our sincere gratitude for sharing your experience with us!
Commendation Form
Questions or Recommendations The Hollywood Police Department is committed to providing excellent Police service to our community. Citizen cooperation and input is essential for the Department to succeed in this goal. If you have any questions or recommendations on how the Hollywood Police Department can improve your Police service, please call the Office of the Chief of Police at 954-967-4300 or mail correspondences directly to the Chief of Police at 3250 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33021.