Citizens Police Oversight Commission releases its 1st audit of PPD internal affairs investigations

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Three years after it was created by Philadelphia City Council, the Citizen’s Police Oversight Commission has delivered its first audit of the Police Department’s internal affairs investigation process. Overall, the Commission gave high marks — and it also found room for improvement.

Among the 250 complaints studied for the audit, the most common were disciplinary code violations — such as improper stops. They were almost always sustained. Less common complaints — about unprofessional conduct, abuse or civil rights violations — were rarely sustained.

The audit found the conclusions of the Internal Affairs Department (IAD) were “logical and reasonable” in more than 90% of cases. But it also found that only about ¼ of the investigations were completed in the 90-day timeline stated in its policy.

CPOC Auditing Director Janine Zajac says timeliness is an important part of accountability.

“It ensures that complainants are getting the care and attention paid to their concerns and that officers are actually learning from any mistakes they’re making in the course of their duties.”

Zajac says the public often doesn’t trust the process of officers investigating other officers, but she says auditing the thoroughness and objectivity of internal affairs is a good way to shine a light on the process.

“Get information out there about what these complaints are, how they’re investigated — and do our part to assess them and report that information to the public,” she said.

“Hopefully bringing a little transparency can help grow some of the trust in this process and that’s what we, I think, accomplished with this report.”

The Commission was created three years ago in the wake of George Floyd’s murder to investigate complaints against police, and it is not yet fully staffed.

A police spokesperson says the Department is still reviewing the audit but appreciates the Commission's work and the recognition of the positive aspects of the IAD's work. It's also committed to looking for ways to make the suggested improvements.