Department of Internal Affairs

The Department of Internal Affairs (or Internal Affairs Department, abbreviated to "IA" or "IAD") is a department that investigates possible criminal activity among Starfleet officers.

Due to the sensitive nature of this department, officers assigned to Internal Affairs do not report to a Captain, First Officer, or Chief of Security, but rather to their own Commanding Officer in their department.

The sole purpose to having an Internal Affairs department is to investigate and find the truth to what occurred or is occurring when a ship or its officers are accused of misconduct.

When an investigation begins, everything is documented and everyone who may be involved in nefarious activity in regards to the situation are interviewed.

Any physical evidence is analyzed, past and present behaviors of all involved are reviewed, and any recording available are reviewed by use of the holodeck.

Internal Affairs departments historically have an unfortunate reputation, earning these types of departments nicknames such as "the rat squad." While some officers believe this department exists to get officers in trouble, it exists within Starfleet to ensure that no one person, group, or species is being taken advantage of. The Internal Affairs division does not arrest people, it merely observes and reports. However, if any criminal activity is found, it will be reported to and the case handed over to Starfleet's Criminal Investigations Division.