SAN ANTONIO – Many people don't know who they are or what they do, but the SAPD's Internal Affairs Unit plays a major role in whether an officer is ultimately disciplined by the chief of police, though they have no say in that decision.
"As far as right or wrong, all we are is fact collectors," said Internal Affairs Sergeant Michael Riggs. "We collect as much evidence and facts as possible so that we can present it to the chief's Advisory Action Board."
When an officer involved shooting occurs the group is alerted immediately. Investigators collect information and facts of the incident and stand by to review the overall scene of what took place. The investigator assigned to the case will then interview the officer under investigation, witnesses and other officers who may have been involved in the incident.
"I think everybody is intimidated when they have to answer to what they've done," Riggs said. "They have to come up and tell us why this took place, and what led up to it, and if we have additional questions they have to answer those."
Once their investigation is complete their role ends. Internal affairs has neither decision making power nor the latitude to make a recommendation on whether an officer should be disciplined. That duty falls to the chief's Action Advisory Board.
Click here to watch a web-only story on the CAAB
"What we do is we hear cases brought against the police department for a number of charges, from domestic violence in their own home to excessive police force. We hear the whole gamut," said Frederick Williams, one of seven civilians who make up the 14-member CAAB. The other seven members are sworn officers.
"I think the most important role we play is to make officers think twice that they can get away with something," he said.
Much like speaking to internal affairs, Williams said coming before the CAAB can be intimidating. "For four years I've watched them have to come into our board meeting and they're scared because they don't know whats going to happen. Their job may be in jeopardy.
The group makes a final recommendation to the police chief who has the final say in whether an officer is disciplined. Police chief Anthony Trevino said the group's makeup is an asset to the community officers are sworn to protect and serve.
"The civilians provide a different perspective that the officers may lose touch with at times, because you have a lot of officers that this is their occupation, this is what they do 24-7 and so I think it provides a nice balance," Trevino said.
Though the group's role is advisory, Williams said the chief takes stock in their recommendation.
"Many times he goes along with our suggestions," Williams said. "Too bad we can't measure how effective we've been at stopping (excessive) police force, but I do know that we have done some (good).
