When a police officer or government authority mistreats you, uses excessive force, refuses to listen, or abuses their power, it can be hard to know what to do next. Many people feel overwhelmed because they do not know how to request records, collect evidence, file an Internal Affairs complaint, or prepare a claim against the agency involved.
That is exactly why Here’s Our Deal was created.
Before you spend money on an expensive lawyer or try to handle the process alone, you can start by using our Incident Report page. This helps you document what happened in a clear, organized way so the important facts are not lost. Once your incident is reported, our team can help you take the next steps, including requesting public records, body camera footage, police reports, and other evidence that may support your complaint.
We can also help prepare Internal Affairs complaints and create claims for clients when government authorities refuse to take responsibility or fail to properly address what happened. These steps can make your case stronger because they help create a record, preserve important evidence, and show exactly how the misconduct affected you.
Filing a complaint is not just about telling your side of the story. It is about building a clear and documented case. The more organized your incident report, evidence, public records, and complaint are, the better positioned you may be to demand accountability.
Here’s Our Deal helps people take action when they believe a government authority has acted unfairly, unlawfully, or abusively. If you are not sure where to begin, start with the Incident Report page. We can help you turn your experience into a structured complaint and guide you toward the records and documents that may help support your case.
What Is an Internal Affairs Complaint?
An Internal Affairs complaint is a formal report made against a law enforcement officer or agency employee for alleged misconduct. That misconduct may include excessive force, unlawful searches, harassment, false statements, discrimination, threats, retaliation, or other abuse of authority. The U.S. Department of Justice identifies police misconduct as including excessive force, sexual misconduct, false arrest, theft, and deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.
Internal Affairs is typically the unit inside a police department that investigates complaints against officers. Some cities also have a civilian review board or another independent oversight body that accepts complaints. The ACLUs know-your-rights materials specifically mention filing with Internal Affairs or a civilian complaint board.
So, Do You Need a Lawyer?
Usually, no lawyer is required just to file the complaint. Many departments and oversight systems allow members of the public to submit complaints directly, and some policies allow anonymous or third-party complaints as well. Federal guidance for Internal Affairs systems says agencies should not dissuade complainants and notes that, unless required by law, complaints need not be under oath or penalty of perjury.
This means that if your main goal is to report misconduct and ask for an investigation, you can often start the process on your own.
When Filing It Yourself May Be Enough
You may be able to file on your own if:
- you want the incident documented officially
- you want the department to investigate officer conduct
- you have basic facts such as the date, time, location, patrol car number, bodycam reference, or officer description
- you are not currently facing criminal charges connected to the incident
- you are not yet pursuing money damages in court
In many situations, filing promptly and clearly is more important than hiring a lawyer first. A written complaint can help create a record of what happened, identify witnesses, and preserve key details while memories are still fresh. The ACLU advises people to write down what happened, gather witness information, photograph injuries, and then file a written complaint.
When a Lawyer Can Help
Even though you may not need a lawyer to file the complaint itself, legal advice can become important very quickly.
You should strongly consider speaking with a lawyer if:
1. You were seriously injured
If you suffered physical injuries, emotional trauma, or needed medical treatment, you may have potential civil claims beyond the complaint process. Complaint systems focus on internal discipline or review; they do not automatically recover compensation for you. Sources discussing civil claims tied to police misconduct emphasize that legal deadlines and claim requirements can matter.
2. You were arrested or charged
If the same incident led to criminal charges, protecting your defense comes first. Legal guidance warns that misconduct issues may need to be raised through your criminal case, such as through suppression motions or other defense strategy.
3. You may need to file a lawsuit
An Internal Affairs complaint is not the same as a lawsuit. The Department of Justice notes that people may have a private right of action in certain situations and that filing a DOJ complaint is not a required step before bringing some claims. In other words, the complaint process and the court process are separate.
4. You are worried about deadlines
If you may bring a civil claim, notice requirements and filing deadlines can be strict and may vary by state and claim type. Nolo notes that certain notices can be required before a lawsuit and that timing can be critical.
5. The case is complex or involves retaliation
If multiple officers were involved, key evidence is missing, or you fear retaliation, a lawyer can help protect your rights, organize evidence, and advise you on parallel steps such as public records requests, preservation notices, or civil claims.
What a Lawyer Can and Cannot Do
A lawyer can help you:
- organize the facts clearly
- identify possible civil rights violations
- preserve evidence
- avoid statements that may hurt a related criminal or civil case
- evaluate whether you should also file a notice of claim, lawsuit, or federal civil rights complaint
But a lawyer is not always necessary for the first reporting step. If your immediate goal is simply to report misconduct to the department or oversight body, you can often begin without one. That practical point is reflected in public know-your-rights guidance that tells people how to file written complaints directly.
What Information Should You Include in an Internal Affairs Complaint?
Whether you file with or without a lawyer, try to include:
- the date, time, and location of the incident
- the names or descriptions of the officers involved
- badge numbers, patrol car numbers, or agency identifiers if known
- a clear timeline of what happened
- the names and contact details of witnesses
- photos, videos, medical records, or other supporting evidence
- details of any injuries, threats, searches, arrests, or property damage
The ACLU specifically recommends documenting badge numbers, patrol car numbers, witnesses, and injuries as soon as possible.
What Happens After You File?
The process varies by agency, but generally the department or oversight office reviews the complaint, may contact you for more information, gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and decides whether the allegation is sustained, unfounded, or otherwise resolved. Some agencies also allow appeals or civilian review. Federal and state guidance shows that agencies are expected to maintain formal complaint procedures and investigate complaints under those procedures.
Still, many people are skeptical of internal investigations. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has noted longstanding criticism of police departments investigating themselves, and civil rights advocates have repeatedly pushed for stronger civilian oversight and transparency.
Internal Affairs Complaint vs. Lawsuit
This distinction matters.
An Internal Affairs complaint is mainly about reporting misconduct and seeking accountability inside the agency.
A lawsuit is about asking a court for legal remedies, which may include money damages or court orders.
You can file a complaint without filing a lawsuit. You can also sometimes pursue legal action without first exhausting an administrative complaint process. The DOJ specifically says there is no requirement to exhaust administrative remedies by filing with DOJ first.
Practical Bottom Line
You usually do not need a lawyer to file an Internal Affairs complaint. If you want to report misconduct, create an official record, and ask for an investigation, you can often do that yourself. Public guidance from organizations like the ACLU and federal complaint procedures make clear that civilians can report misconduct directly.
But if the incident involved injury, arrest, criminal charges, retaliation, or possible compensation, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. The complaint process can be one important step, but it may not protect all of your legal rights on its own.
How Here’s Our Deal Can Help
At Here’s Our Deal, we help people document incidents, organize key facts, and take the first steps toward accountability when they experience misconduct, harassment, or excessive force by government authorities. Filing a complaint can feel overwhelming, especially after a stressful encounter, but getting the facts on record early can make a real difference.
If you are unsure where to start, we can help you structure your report and prepare the details you may need before submitting an Internal Affairs complaint.
If you have a problem with a government agency or police officer, report an incident now.