How to Request Internal Affairs Investigation Files

Internal affairs (IA) files contain the records of investigations into police misconduct complaints. These are some of the most contentious records to obtain, but your right to them is well-established in most jurisdictions.

What IA Files Contain

The original complaint (citizen or internal)

Investigation report and findings

Officer statements and interviews

Witness statements

Evidence gathered during investigation

Disposition (sustained, not sustained, exonerated, unfounded)

Disciplinary action if sustained

Key Legal Considerations

The availability of IA records varies significantly by state:

Ohio: Disciplinary records are public under ORC § 149.43. The Ohio Supreme Court has consistently held that completed IA investigations are public records.

California: SB 1421 (2019) opened access to records of officer shootings, sexual assault, dishonesty, and use of force resulting in great bodily injury.

New York: The repeal of Civil Rights Law § 50-a in 2020 made police disciplinary records publicly accessible.

Federal: FBI and federal LE internal investigations are subject to FOIA with law enforcement exemptions under Exemption 7.

Sample Request Language

I am requesting all records related to the internal affairs investigation involving [OFFICER NAME/BADGE NUMBER OR COMPLAINT NUMBER], including the complaint, investigation report, findings, and any disciplinary actions taken.

Expect Resistance — and Know Your Rights

IA files are where agencies push back the hardest. Common tactics include:

Delayed responses — agencies will often run out the clock hoping you'll give up

Overbroad exemptions — claiming everything is exempt under "personnel" or "law enforcement investigation" exemptions

Fee estimates — quoting thousands of dollars in fees to discourage the request

For each of these, there are legal remedies. FOIAfile tracks your deadlines and provides appeal templates when agencies fail to comply.

File your internal affairs records request →