Professional Standards Division


The Professional Standards Division is responsible for maintaining the Professional Standards files within the Department. Responsibilities include coordinating various elements of the hiring and promotion process, including equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (EEO/AA) activities, Background Investigations, the Internal Affairs function, and Legal Department Liaison. This Division is under the direction of the Deputy Chief who reports to the Chief of Police and consists of the following:

Internal Affairs

The Internal Affairs Unit ensures that the integrity of the Department is not compromised by the misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance of any employee. Responsibilities include logging and monitoring all citizen complaints, conducting investigations of alleged criminal complaints against Police Officers including civil rights violations, and oversight responsibilities on disciplinary issues to monitor adverse impact.

Recruitment, Selection and Promotion Function

This function ensures coordination of the Department's activities concerning recruitment, selection and promotion of personnel. Responsibilities will include liaison activities with the Massachusetts Human Resources Division (HRD) regarding civil service employment.

Legal Department Liaison

The Deputy Chief shall serve as the liaison with the Haverhill Legal Department. He/she will assist with all litigation concerning civil cases brought against the Haverhill Police Department or its Police Officers sued in their official capacity.

Human Resources Liaison

The Deputy Chief is responsible for ensuring that the Department is in compliance with Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L), Chapter 31, Civil Service, and the Department’s policies, rules and procedures on hiring and assignment, including Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA), harassment, and drug and alcohol policies.

Department Property and Equipment Function

This function oversees department equipment including preparing specifications and purchasing said equipment.

Citizen Complaint Function

The Professional Standards Division, through the Deputy Chief assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit shall be responsible to follow-up all citizen complaints. Those complaints not investigated by the Internal Affairs Unit will be delegated to the respective Division Commanders and Officer in Charge and investigated in accordance the Internal Affairs Investigation Policy.

Background Investigation Function

The Professional Standards Division will be responsible for conducting the candidate screening processes. The Criminal Investigations Division will provide support for background investigations.

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