WHY SHOULD I REPORT A
CRIME OR INCIDENT THAT MIGHT REQUIRE POLICE INTERVENTION OR INVESTIGATION?
Everyone is encouraged
to report any type of criminal event or incident that may require police
intervention or investigation. The phrase “If
you see something, say something” is a good rule, regardless of the nature
of the offense. You should never assume that the information you have is either
trivial or insignificant, or that someone else has already reported it to the
police.
Many crimes are solved
when information is gathered from multiple sources and is evaluated
collectively by the police department. They become parts of the puzzle that may
lead to the successful conclusion of an investigation.
Accurate reporting of
such crimes/incidents not only helps the victim, but can lead to the
identification and apprehension of the suspect as well as providing the police
administration useful information that can be utilized to help identify crime
trends and patterns. These patterns impact their decisions regarding the
allocation of personnel. Therefore, without an accurate accounting of actual
crime, the ability of the police department to prevent crimes in the future may
be significantly hampered.
WHAT IF I WITNESS A
CRIME OR HAVE INFORMATION RELATED TO A CRIME?
If you witness a crime, and the police respond to conduct an initial
investigation, you are encouraged to step forward to notify the investigating
officer(s) as to what you witnessed. If you do not feel comfortable with
stepping forward at the scene, you should call the police department at your
earliest possible convenience and ask to speak to a detective from that agency.
HOW DO I REPORT A
CRIME?
The first step to
report any type of crime or incident that you feel the police should know about
is to contact the police department where the incident occurred.
Contact your local police department
In most cases, the
police department is responsible for conducting the initial
investigation. If the investigation involves major crimes or incidents
that may involve multiple jurisdictions, the police department will contact the
Prosecutor’s Office, who will evaluate the facts known at that particular time
and make a determination if a joint investigation will be initiated.
WHAT IF I AM THE
VICTIM OF A CRIME?
You should notify and file a police report at the police department where the
incident occurred. Regardless of the nature of the offense, you should not feel
embarrassed or ashamed. Your actions may prevent the victimization of others.
Office of Victim Advocacy
Victim Assistance Resources
WHAT IF I AM THE
VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT?
If you are
looking to report a sexual assault, the first step is to call or respond to the
police department where the assault occurred. You are entitled to have an
advocate present for any police interview, forensic exam, or court appearance
and may request law enforcement to contact an advocate for you at any time.
If you need your
rights further explained, you may ask law enforcement or contact the Center for
Empowerment at the 24-hour hotline 1-877-665-7273. The Center for Empowerment
provides services for survivors of sexual assault.
Attorney General Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault
Middlesex County Center for Empowerment - brochure
Middlesex County Center for Empowerment - Website
Victim Assistance Resources
WHAT IF I WISH TO
REPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
In drafting the domestic violence law, the legislature recognized some of the
difficulties victims had in seeking protection. As a result, the law gives the
victims of domestic violence expanded reporting options.
If you wish to report
an incident involving domestic violence, you may go to the police department
where the incident occurred, where the victim resides or is sheltered, or where
the suspect resides.
The victim is
encouraged to file the police report. Many police departments have Domestic
Violence Crisis Intervention Teams on duty. These teams offer
counseling services and referrals, help guide the victim thru the legal
process, and provide guidance in securing a restraining order, if necessary.
Victim Assistance Resources
WHAT IF I WANT TO REPORT A BIAS INCIDENT OR BIAS CRIME?
You should notify and file a police report the police department where the
incident occurred. Once the report is made, the police department
will make a determination as to whether or not the incident qualifies as a bias
crime pursuant to the Criminal Code of the State of New Jersey. The police
department is also required to forward all such reports to the Prosecutor’s
Office Bias Crime Unit for additional review. The Prosecutor’s Office will make
a final determination as to whether or not the incident qualifies as a bias
crime pursuant to the Criminal Code.
WHAT IF I WANT TO ANONYMOUSLY REPORT A CRIME?
To anonymously report a crime, or have information regarding the same, contact
the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers Program by calling 1-800-939-9600 or visit
their website www.middlesextips.com. A link to the Crime Stoppers Program can also be found on the
Prosecutor’s Office main webpage (Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office).
WHAT IF I WANT TO MAKE
A REPORT ALLEGING OFFICER MISCONDUCT?
All complaints of officer misconduct shall be accepted from all persons who
wish to file a complaint regardless of the hour or day of the week. This
includes reports from anonymous sources, juveniles and persons under arrest or
in custody. Complaints should be accepted by any law enforcement officer in the
event that the Internal Affairs officer or supervisory personnel are not
available. Anonymous reports of improper conduct by an officer shall be
accepted. All efforts will be made to encourage full cooperation by the
complainant.
Citizens should submit
their complaints as soon as possible after the incident. The Internal
Affairs investigator, supervisor, or other officer receiving the complaint will
explain to the complainant the department’s internal affairs process
and what role the complainant can expect to play in the
investigation. Upon request, the complainant will be kept informed of the
status of the complaint. In all cases, the complainant will be advised in
writing of its ultimate disposition.
If a person comes to a
particular law enforcement agency to make a complaint about a member of another
law enforcement agency, he or she will be referred to the agency. If the
complainant has fears or concerns about making the complaint, he or she should
be go to the Prosecutor’s Office in the County where the officer is employed.
All complaints should
be investigated, as long as there is sufficient factual information to warrant
an investigation. All relevant facts known to the complainant should be told to
the officer taking the complaint. Complaints will be professionally,
objectively and expeditiously investigated in order to gather all information
necessary to arrive at a proper disposition. After a thorough and impartial
investigation, a decision will be made as to the proper disposition of the complaint.