Professional Standards of Internal Affairs Research Essay

Internal Affairs

Internal Affairs is the department in charge of looking into any allegations of professional misconduct or illegal activity by company workers. (OIPRD, 2014). To put it another way, the agency is in charge of fostering and advancing professionalism within the police force. The Vancouver Police Department claims that in order to increase public trust and cooperation in society, the division carries out its mission by monitoring the behaviors, appearance, conduct, integrity, and ethics of its members.

Public Complaint Unit

On the other hand, the Public Complaint Unit is a mechanism in charge of holding the Toronto Police Service accountable to the community. (Canada.ca, 2017). The department allows members of the public to make complaints regarding the police service policies, the services they offer, or their conduct. The department is clear about what the public or citizens are allowed to complain. The division then forwards the claims to the Professional Standards Unit for further actions.

Difference between the two departments

The difference between the two departments is that the Public Complaints Unit receives complaints from the public about any misconduct of the employees but does not carry out any investigations (OIPRD, 2014). On the other hand, the Internal Affairs Unit conducts objective and thorough administrative investigations to protect the public from the misconduct of the employees and protect the employees from false allegations of misconduct (Canada, 2013). In other words, the Internal Affairs Unit has power to prosecute the employees for the allegations.

Importance of the departments

Nonetheless, the two departments are essential to ensure accountability of employees and delivery of quality services to the society. The Internal Affairs Unit depends on claims the Public Complaints Division records from the public to conduct investigations and appraise the performance of the employees. Nevertheless, some of the allegations might be false. As such, the Department of Internal Affairs is crucial to establish the validity of the claims made against its employees.

References

Canada. (2013). Descriptive text: Professional Standards and External Review Directorate. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from, http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/adj/ann-11-12/desc/fig7-eng.htm

Canada.ca. (2017). Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from, https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/

OIPRD. (2014). Office of the Independent Police Review Director. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from, http://www.oiprd.on.ca/En/Pages/Home.aspx

OIPRD. (2014). Professional Standards. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from, http://www.oiprd.on.ca/EN/PoliceServices/Pages/Professional-Standards.aspx

The Vancouver Police Department. (n.d). Professional Standards Section. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from, http://vancouver.ca/police/organization/support-services/professional-standards/index.html