Internal Affairs

Internal Affairs Division
200 Taylor Street - 7th Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-884-1108
SheriffInternalAffairs@TarrantCounty.com

The mission of the Internal Affairs Division is to assist the Sheriff’s Administration in maintaining the public trust by conducting administrative investigations of officer-involved critical incidents and complaints received on all employees of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.

Critical incidents include officer-involved shootings, pursuits resulting in serious injury, or any incident resulting in serious injury or death of a person, regardless of any allegations of misconduct. In addition, all complaints of misconduct, whether received from citizens or department employees, are investigated in accordance with Sheriff’s Civil Service Rules.  

All complaints are evaluated to determine the severity of the complaint and the possible impact on the employee in question.  Complaints fall into one of three categories, called Levels.   Generally, the Internal Affairs Division will investigate all Level III complaints; while Levels I and II are referred to supervisors for investigation as they do not carry the possibility of loss of time, money or employment.  

As a matter of policy, the Internal Affairs Division does not investigate complaints concerning traffic violations or criminal charges when a person’s guilt or innocence is the issue in question. Additionally, Internal Affairs does not normally investigate unsigned complaints, third-party complaints, anonymous complaints, or complaints of improper actions (whether administrative or criminal) by employees of other law enforcement agencies.

Most complaints come from Sheriff’s Office personnel.  In addition to Internal Affairs personnel, all Sheriff’s Office supervisors are responsible for taking appropriate action when they become aware of a citizen’s complaint referencing employee misconduct.

Department supervisors initiate approximately 95 percent of all disciplinary investigations conducted by Internal Affairs. Such pro-active personnel management on the part of supervision greatly contributes to the high standard of conduct exhibited by the vast majority of the Sheriff’s employees, as well as the minimal percentage of citizen complaints. Furthermore, due to the minimal number of complaints alleging severe employee misconduct, a cost-effective Internal Affairs staff of four personnel currently accomplishes all designated duties and responsibilities for a department consisting of more than 1,300 personnel.

You may contact the Internal Affairs Division referencing the apparent misconduct by a Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office employee in person, or by calling 817-884-1108. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.,  (excluding County holidays). After office hours, a message and return phone number may be left via voice mail and the call will be returned the following business day.

The Internal Affairs Division will investigate any calls that appear to be Level III.  The result of these investigations may result in severe disciplinary action, up to loss of employment, or possible criminal investigation.  Because of the severe consequences of sustained Third Level Complaints you must come to the Sheriff’s Office to complete and sign a formal complaint form.  The complaint process generally takes the department 60 calendar days to complete the investigation and for the Board of Disciplinary Review to determine what discipline shall be recommended and/or imposed.