Internal Affairs Unit

The Kern County Sheriff's Office strives to provide professional service. Citizen input, both positive and negative, is vital to our organization's goals.

How to File a Personnel Complaint Against a Member of This Office

You may file a complaint in person at either of the following locations or at any of our substations:

We encourage those making a complaint to call (661) 392-6791 and ask to speak to an investigator or to request a complaint form to be mailed to them.

Some complaints can be immediately referred to the respective employee's supervisor for a quick resolution, may require a more extensive formal investigation, or may be a matter that is best addressed through other means. Speaking to an investigator helps to ensure complaints are handled both appropriately and efficiently. This can include but is not limited to:

• Getting more information about the complaint
• Collecting evidence in a timely manner
• Filing a Tort Claim
• Explanation of the judicial process
• Referral to the appropriate department for matters that are not personnel-related
• Referral to other agencies for complaints about employees who do not work at the Kern County Sheriff's Office

In addition, complaint forms may also be accessed online and are linked below. If this option is more convenient, please keep in mind this form is to be used for complaints against Kern County Sheriff's Office Employees ONLY. This form is not to be used to file a criminal report or complaint, unless it involves such allegations against an employee of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

If you wish to make a crime or incident report, please call our Communications Center at (661) 861-3110. For convenience, reports meeting certain criteria may also be filed through Online Reporting.