When it finishes gathering this research, Internal Affairs interviews the accused officer or officers. Internal Affairs writes a summary statement that includes the investigation findings and a recommendation. The police chief, his major and an assistant city law director read the summary. The chief can agree or disagree with what Internal Affairs recommends. Officers who are found to have broken department rules are disciplined based on the seriousness of their action.
Punishment ranges from disciplinary letters to termination.
If evidence shows that an accused officer may have committed a criminal act, the case becomes a court matter. A citizen who files a bogus complaint faces a falsification charge, which is a first-degree misdemeanor.