Professional Standards Unit

What is the Internal Affairs Division responsible for?

  • The processing of all citizen complaints against a police department employee, and internal affairs procedures.
  • At a minimum the following types of incidents are investigated by the Professional Standards Unit:
    • Allegation of brutality/excessive force;
    • Civil rights violations;
    • Any allegation that can be criminal in nature;
    • Harassment;
    • Allegations of negligence or neglect of duty resulting in bodily injury or death; and
    • All complaints involving allegations of racial and/or biased profiling.

Were there any other complaints filed against officers in 2024?

  • The Valdosta Police Department Office of Professional Standards received twenty-nine (29) inquiries on VPD employees, which include sworn and non-sworn.  Twenty-eight (28) were filed by citizens, and (1) was initiated by the VPD.  Thirteen (13) of the complaints were investigated by the Office of Professional Standards, while sixteen (16) were returned to supervisors.
    • Four (4) racial/biased-based profiling
    • Two (2) allegations of improper application of law
    • Two (2) conduct unbecoming an officer
    • Three (3) excessive force
    • One (1) allegation of harassment
    • Nine (9) professionalism/rudeness complaints
    • One (1) allegation of assault
    • One (1) allegation of speeding in a police vehicle
    • Five (5) incompetence complaints; and
    • One(1) allegation of theft.

Of the inquiries, ten (10) were deemed Proper Conduct, seven (7) were cleared as Improper Conduct, none (0) were cleared as Insufficient Evidence, and twelve (12) were cleared as Unfounded.

Is there any program or policy in place for VPD Administration to review personnel issues early?

Per G.O. 100-61, the Valdosta Police Department has Personnel Early Warning System, which provides a systematic review of specific types of events, disciplines, and performance evaluations that allows for Command Staff to evaluate identify, and address specific trends with employees.  The Personnel Early Warning System is a mechanism to address personnel issues early with an employee and in a positive and non-punitive manner, to prevent a pattern from occurring.

Is the Valdosta Police Department accredited or certified by an outside agency?

The Valdosta Police Department voluntarily participates in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), which is an international accreditation, as well as the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program. 

These voluntary programs provide standards that departments must meet to achieve and maintain their accreditation/certification.  These standards address:

  • Use of Force and use of force reporting;
  • Personnel Early Warning System;
  • Racial/Biased based profiling;
  • Internal Affairs;
  • Recruitment and Selection;
  • Training;
  • Detainee Restraint Methods; and
  • Annual reporting on mandatory standards.