Office of Professional Standards
It is the policy of the Manasquan Police Department to accept and investigate all complaints of department and employee’s alleged misconduct or wrongdoing from any citizen, department employee or any other sources, including anonymous sources.
Complaints against the Manasquan Police Department employees will be accepted in person, by telephone, by letter or email at any time. It is preferred that the complaint is made in person, by the person directly involved in the incident so we can be sure to ascertain as much information as possible to investigate the claim, but it is not necessary. Complaints can be made anonymously or by a third party.
All officers and employees are empowered to take an employee complaint. Once the complaint is received, it will be forwarded to the Internal Affairs Supervisor who will conduct a thorough and objective investigation.
If the complaint alleges minor violations of departmental policies or procedures or the complaint alleges acts of discourtesy, the complaint will be forwarded through the chain of command to the member’s immediate supervisor for an investigation.
You might be asked to help in the investigation by giving a detailed statement about what happened or by providing other important information.
All complaints against law enforcement officers are thoroughly investigated. You will be advised in writing of the outcome.
If our investigation shows that a crime might have been committed, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will be notified. You might be asked to testify in court.
If our investigation results in an officer being charged with a violation of department rules or regulations, you might be asked to testify in a departmental hearing.
If our investigation shows that the complaint is unfounded or that the officer acted properly, the matter will be closed.
All disciplinary hearings shall be closed to the public unless the defendant officer requests an open hearing.
When a complaint alleges criminal conduct on the part of an employee, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will be notified. A representative from that office may oversee the investigation, participate in the investigation, or conduct the investigation.
Is there any risk in making a complaint against a member, No. But if a person deliberately makes a false complaint and statement against a member, that person may be criminally prosecuted or held civilly liable. N.J.S. 2C:28-3 Unsworn Falsification to Authorities states, ” A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he makes a written false statement which he does not believe to be true, on or pursuant to a form bearing notice, authorized by law, to the affect that false statements made therein are punishable.” Those who provide false information to members of the Office of Professional Standards will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Once the investigation is concluded, you will be advised of the outcome in written form. Complaints from the public, whether substantiated or not, increase the awareness of the leadership of this agency to actual or potential problems, as well as the perceptions of the community. This feedback will ultimately assist in determining whether the mission statement and goals of this agency are being attained.
All inquiries regarding Internal Affairs may be directed to Captain Nicholas Norcia at nnorcia@manasquanpd.com
Internal Affairs Complaint Forms (available in multiple languages)
2021 Annual Internal Affairs Summary Report
2022 Annual Internal Affairs Summary Report
2023 Annual Internal Affairs Summary Report
2020 Annual Major Discipline Report
2021 Annual Major Discipline Report
2022 Annual Major Discipline Report