Richmond County Sheriff's Office

Phone: 706-821-1000 911 for Emergencies

Internal Affairs

The primary responsibility of the Internal Affairs Division is to ensure the integrity of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. The Internal Affairs Division also monitors the relationship between the community and the Sheriff’s Office and strives to nurture mutual trust. The Internal Affairs Division is commanded by Lt. Kimberly Lee who reports directly to the Sheriff. Lt. Lee is also in charge of the Public Information Office.

Internal Affairs serves as an instrument of internal accountability by receiving, processing, and investigating complaints concerning employee conduct. These complaints comprise of alleged violations of Office Policy and/or Criminal Law and may originate from outside sources or from within the Agency.
The function of the Internal Affairs Division is to ensure this proper relationship by providing residents with a fair, objective and effective avenue to seek redress for legitimate complaints and concerns against employees, and to protect employees from false charges of misconduct.

To accomplish this function, the Internal Affairs Division is responsible for the following:

  • Internal Investigations (Formal Complaints)
  • Contact Reports (Informal Complaints)
  • Special Investigations (Firearm and Taser Discharges)
  • Vehicle Pursuit Compliance Reviews
  • Use of Force Compliance Reviews

Additional duties of this Division include but are not limited to:

  • Expungements
  • Open Record Requests under Georgia State Statute
  • Background Investigations

Commending Superior Performance

If you wish to commend the actions of any Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy or employee you may:

  • Ask to speak with the employee’s supervisor and verbally communicate your commendation.
  • Write a letter or email the Sheriff’s Administration explaining your praise.

Correspondence complimenting superior performance by a Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy will be brought to the employee’s attention. Additionally, it will be placed in the employee’s personnel file.

Complaint Reporting Procedure

Serious complaints, such as criminal misconduct or brutality, are investigated by Internal Affairs. Less serious complaints, such as discourtesy and unprofessional conduct, will normally be investigated by the employee’s supervisor.  Complaints may be made in person, via regular or electronic email, by using our online form, or by calling the Internal Affairs Division between the hours of 8:30 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at 706-821-1004.

Online Complaint Reporting Form
 
Complaint Investigation and Disposition Process
All complaints are thoroughly investigated. A detailed report is prepared including statements from the complainant, employee, and all witnesses. The investigative report presents an unbiased account of the circumstances as they actually occurred. Each report is reviewed by the Internal Affairs Commander for completeness, clarity, and objectivity. The completed report is forwarded to the Sheriff for a final disposition. If the facts show there was employee misconduct, the Sheriff directs the employee’s chain of command to recommend corrective action (discipline/remedial training, etc.).

Internal Affairs/Public Information Staff

Lt. Kimberly Lee - Email
706-821-1442
Lt. Kimberly Lee received her degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina-Aiken and she worked as a Forensic Interviewer where she conducted more than 1,000 Forensic Interviews and provided expert testimony in numerous cases within the Augusta Judicial Circuit.  Lt. Lee began her career in Law Enforcement with RCSO working in the Violent Crimes Division as an Investigator in the Crimes against Children Division. Lt. Lee recently graduated from Columbus State University's Professional Management Program.

Sgt. Caleb Lee - Email
706-821-1096
Sgt. Lee started his career with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in May 2009 at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center as a Deputy Jailer.  In September of 2010, Sgt. Lee graduated from the police academy and started working Road Patrol.  In January 2014, Sgt. Lee was promoted to the Criminal Investigations Division working Property and Violent Crimes for five years.  In April of 2019, Sgt. Lee was promoted to Sergeant in the Internal Affairs Division. Sgt. Lee has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Augusta State University.

Sgt. John Perry - Email
706-821-1440
Sgt. Perry has more than 20 years of experience in Law Enforcement. Prior to starting his career in Law Enforcement, he received his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Augusta State University. Sgt. Perry has several years of criminal investigation experience in Property and Violent Crimes.