ST. CHARLES – The St. Charles Police Department conducted five internal affairs investigations in 2012, the department announced Thursday as part of accreditation requirements.

Spokesman Paul McCurtain said internal investigations can be initiated by complaints from citizens or department employees. Although the original complainant receives a letter explaining the findings of the investigation, the general public is limited to vague information, he said.

He said the department investigates all complaints against the agency and its employees and compiles annual statistical summaries to comply with standards set by CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement.