Basic Internal Affairs

2025 Basic Internal Affairs - MCC Waco - 8/13/25

Available Seats: 13 of 50

Cost: $370.00

Credit Hours: 16

Dates:
August 13, 2025 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
August 14, 2025 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location:
MCC Waco (30 & 150) map
Emergency Services Center
7601 Steinbeck Bend Dr
Waco, TX 76708

Rationale

The process of conducting internal affairs investigations can be complex and daunting, but it is occasionally necessary. The goal of these investigations is fact-finding for the purpose of supporting and protecting personnel involved in approved conduct while holding accountable those involved in unapproved conduct. Fair and unbiased internal investigations contribute to the health of police organizations and are essential to establishing and maintaining community confidence. This course focuses on the basics of establishing protocols, gathering evidence, and protecting the rights of all involved while safeguarding the agency’s ability to take appropriate follow-up actions.

Overview

This 16-hour course is presented in 2 days. It uses lectures, examples, and discussions to provide the means to perform and document internal affairs investigations by examining processes, interview techniques, and documentation methods that lead to thorough and defensible conclusions. It is intended for those who will perform investigations or develop internal affairs processes in an organization.

Course Goals

At the conclusion of this course, the participant will:

1. Define the philosophy of professional standards and the IA function.
2. Describe the common causes of disciplinary problems.
3. Describe the process for conducting IA investigations and protecting the rights of those under investigation.
4. List the special issues associated with use of force investigations and officer-involved shootings.
5. Identify basic methods for dealing with news media issues.
6. Articulate the points of proper record-keeping and reporting.

Instructor: Doug Kowalski

Chief Doug Kowalski began his law enforcement career in 1975 when he joined the New York City Police Department as an Auxiliary Police Officer. In 1977, he moved to Texas and joined the Dallas Police Department, where he advanced through the ranks of Officer, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief. During his career in Dallas, he worked in Patrol, Internal Affairs, Training, Property Crimes, Narcotics, Communications, S.W.A.T., and Special Operations (Tactical and Traffic Divisions). Chief Kowalski retired from the Dallas Police Department in July 2000 and joined the McKinney Police Department as Assistant Chief. He was promoted to Chief of Police, serving in that role from January 2001 until October 2012. During this time, McKinney was listed as one of the fastest-growing cities in America, as the city grew from a population of 54,000 to over 140,000 citizens. Commensurate with this growth, under his leadership, the Police Department grew from a strength of 67 officers and 25 civilians (92 employees) to a force of 164 sworn officers and 47 civilians (211 employees). Under his command, the McKinney Police Department earned recognition status under the Texas Police Chiefs Association Recognition Program for following the best practices for Texas law enforcement. In January 2014, Chief Kowalski was appointed, and is currently, the Chief of Police in Prosper, Texas. Chief Kowalski holds a Master of Science Degree in Leadership and Justice Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wagner College in New York. He also attended Fordham University School of Law. He is a graduate of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration School of Police Supervision 23rd Command and Management College and the 10th Advanced Management College. He is a vice chair of their Advisory Board and a past president of their Alumni Association. Chief Kowalski also graduated from the 180th Session of the FBI National Academy. Additionally, he is a Certified Fraud Examiner (C.F.E.). Chief Kowalski holds TCOLE Master Peace Officer and Instructor Certificates. He has lectured at the Dallas Police Academy, the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration, the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of North Texas, and at Collin College. He is currently a faculty member of the Caruth Police Institute at the University of North Texas. He has testified as an expert witness on Tactical Operations before a United States Congressional Sub-Committee. He is a member of the Collin College Law Enforcement Academy Training Advisory Board; a member of the IACP - Patrol and Tactical Operations Committee. He is a Past President of the North Texas Police Chiefs Association. He assisted the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in publishing a book, *A Conflict of Rights*, about Policing Protests, and a White Paper on Community Policing. In 2014, he was the recipient of the Dr. Gary Sykes Award for professional achievement in law enforcement presented by the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration.