The Office of Professional Standards of the Highland Park Police Department is responsible for ensuring that members of the department meet the highest standards of professional conduct and are responsive to the citizens they serve. The Office of Professional Standards is also responsible for the thorough investigation of all complaints of misconduct against members of the Highland Park Police Department. The Office of Professional Standards is run by Captain Jose Curbelo.

The Office of Professional Standards reports directly to the Chief of Police. The Office is charged with administering the investigative and disciplinary processes for the Highland Park Police Department. The primary mission of the Office of Professional Standards is to assure that the members of the Highland Park Police Department meet the highest standards of integrity and ethical performance.

The Highland Park Police Department is dedicated to providing the best possible police service to the citizens it serves. Officers are carefully selected and receive the best possible training to help them perform their duties in a fair, honest, impartial, and professional manner. Your assistance helps the Highland Park Police Department maintain the integrity of the organization. If you feel strongly about the conduct of an officer, positively or negatively, please let us know.

The Office of Professional Standards can be reached by telephone at: (732) 572-3800, ext.4213 or citizens may visit the Highland Park Police Department Headquarters located at the 222 South 5th Ave Highland Park NJ 08904.

Captain J. Curbelo Jcurbelo@hpboro.com
Lieutenant D. Soden Dsoden@hpboro.com


How to commend an officer 

Recognition for a job well done is important. 
Officers and civilian employees of the Highland Park Police Department are no exception. If an officer or other member of the Highland Park Police Department renders a service that you feel is worthy of a commendation, we would like to hear about it.

To commend a Highland Park Police Department employee you may complete the form below.

Commend an officer or telephone the Office of Professional Standards by calling: (732) 572-3800 Ext 4213.

The employee and his/her supervisor will be notified of the commendation. A copy will also be included in the employee’s personnel file.

How to file a complaint

Providing police services can often be a very difficult and complex job.

The Highland Park Police Department recognizes that mistakes may be made and the actions of our officers may fall short of expectations. The Highland Park Police Department has established rules and regulations and standard operating procedures governing the professional and personal conduct of employees and acceptable work performance standards. These guidelines are designed to protect the well-being and the rights of all citizens and employees. The Office of Professional Standards will thoroughly investigate all reports of misconduct by officers regardless of the source. Anyone who files a complaint against an officer will be treated with courtesy and respect.

Citizen Complaint Instructions 

Internal Affairs Citizen Complaint Intake Checklist

Office of Professional Standards Report Form

Internal Affairs Report Form - Appendix B

Internal Affairs Summary Reporting

Appendix A- Complaint Information Sheets (Various Languages)

To make a complaint you may:

• Call the Office of Professional Standards at 732-572-3800 Ext 4213 to speak to Capt. J. Curbelo Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. After 4:00 pm leave a message. You will receive a return call during business hours from our office.
• Complaints may be made anonymously via the Citizen Complaint Information Form.
• Make your complaint in person at police headquarters at any time.

If the citizen is uncomfortable reporting the complaint to the Highland Park Police Department, they may report their complaint to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office; Office of Professional Standards. The Prosecutor's Office can be reached at 732-745-3300.

Corrective action 

If the investigation indicates the officer has committed a violation, corrective action commensurate with the severity of the violation will be taken. Mitigating circumstances may be considered by the Chief of Police in determining appropriate penalties. Action taken may involve:

Counseling (non-discipline)
Remedial training (non-discipline)
Oral reprimand 
Voluntary surrender of time off in lieu of other action
Written reprimand
Suspension
Reduction in rank
Termination

After an investigation is completed, less severe discipline is administered directly by the Chief of Police. More serious discipline will be imposed if the officer is found guilty at a disciplinary hearing. In the event the member is subject to a disciplinary hearing, the complainant and witnesses may be called to testify. Complainants will be notified in writing by the Office of Professional Standards when the complaint has been resolved, however the exact discipline imposed is a confidential personnel matter and will not be revealed to the complainant. Members of the department can appeal the Chief of Police’s decision. The Highland Park Police Department has established procedures for members to follow in filing their appeals, just as it has established procedures to fairly and honestly investigate citizens' complaints.

Professional Standards Summary Reports

View Highland Park Professional Standards Summary Reporting.

The 4 A’s of Internal Affairs

1. ANYONE – Any individual must be permitted to file an Internal Affairs complaint. It can be a victim, a friend of the victim, a parent, a juvenile (with or without parents), undocumented person (we are not permitted to ask about immigration status) or it can be anonymous. ANYONE means ANYONE.

2. ANY WAY – An Internal Affairs complaint can be filed in ANY WAY. It could be filed by phone, by letter, written on a napkin, in person… Whatever is best for the person filing. We cannot make someone show up in person or swear the statement to initiate the complaint process.

3. ANY TIME – A complaint must be taken regardless of the hour or day of the week. At no time should a complaint be told to return later, even if the IA officer is unavailable. ANY law enforcement officer or civilian employee must take a complaint.

4. ANYTHING – As long as a complaint has sufficient factual information, the complaint must be investigated. It is predicated upon the victim’s view of the situation.

* * * LAW ENFORCEMENT MUST AVOID ANY LANGUAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO DISSUADE SOMEBODY FROM FILING A COMPLAINT.

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