How to File a Citizen
Complaint
The Metropolitan
Police Department (MPDC) is committed to providing professional,
high-quality services to all; the MPDC does not tolerate misconduct
or wrongdoing on the part of its members. If individuals believe
they have been subjected to, or witnessed, police misconduct of
any type, the MPDC encourages them to report the incident either
to the MPDC or to the Office
of Police Complaints (OPC). There are many convenient ways for
individuals to file complaints, including in-person, over the telephone,
or via mail, email or fax.
OPC and MPDC
have different processes for reviewing and investigating complaints:
- OPC handles
complaints related to harassment, excessive use of force, insulting
language or conduct, discrimination, and retaliation for filing
a complaint. All other complaints are handled by the MPDC.
- OPC offers
conciliation and mediation to resolve complaints; these options
are not available in the MPDC complaint process.
Select from
the following links for more information about filing a citizen
complaint.
 
Office of Police Complaints
The OPC was established by the District of Columbia government to
provide the public with an independent and impartial forum for the
review and resolution of certain citizen complaints of misconduct
by Metropolitan Police officers.
The purpose of the OPC is to promote the highest attainable standards
of integrity, professionalism and accountability in the District’s
police department. Public confidence is strengthened by ensuring
that citizen complaints about police conduct are taken seriously,
carefully investigated and reviewed by an experienced staff that
is overseen by the Police Complaints Board (PCB), appointed by the
Mayor and confirmed by the District
of Columbia Council.
The OCCR handles the following types of complaints against MPDC
officers:
- Harassment
- Use of unnecessary
or excessive force
- Use of language or
conduct that is insulting, demeaning or humiliating
- Discrimination based
on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status,
personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities,
physical handicap, matriculation, political affiliation, source
of income, or place of residence or business
- Retaliation for filing
a complaint.
To file a complaint
with the OPC:
- Obtain an
OPC complaint form:
- Call
the OPC at (202) 727-3838, and request that a complaint form
be mailed or faxed to you
- Ask for
an OPC complaint form and fact sheet at an MPDC facility
- Submit the
complaint form:
- File
a signed OPC complaint form in person at OPC (see address
information below)
- Send
a signed, completed complaint form by mail
- You may also:
- Send
a letter detailing the incident to OPC (see address information
below)
- Call
the OPC citizen complaint hotline and tell an investigator
what happened: (866) 588-0596
More information
is available on the OPC website.
Office
of Professional Responsibility
The Office of Professional
Responsibility (OPR) is the internal MPDC unit responsible for
ensuring that all complaints of officer misconduct are investigated
and handled properly. Some complaints that are filed with OPR fall
within the purview of the OPC. In these situations, the complaint
may be referred to OPC by the MPDC. Regardless of who investigates
the complaint, you can always file the complaint with the MPDC.
You may file a complaint in a number of ways:
- File a signed
MPDC complaint form in person at the Office of Professional Responsibility
or at any police facility.
- Mail a letter
detailing your complaint to the Office of Professional Responsibility
or any police facility.
- Report your
complaint over the telephone
- Office
of Professional Responsibility: (202) 727-4385
- 24-hour
hotline: 1(800) 298-4006
- Fax your
complaint to the Office of Professional Responsibility/Internal
Affairs: (202) 727-5116
- Email your
complaint to citizen.complaints@dc.gov
- Download
a PD-99* (complaint form), complete and sign the form, and
submit it to the Office of Professional Responsibility via traditional
mail or fax.
Things
to Remember When Making a Complaint
Whether filing a complaint with the MPDC or the OPC, the following
information is very important when describing the event:
- The day,
date, time and location of the incident
- The officer’s
name, badge number, and description
- Witnesses’
names, addresses and phone numbers
- License numbers
for any vehicles involved in the incident
- Any other
evidence you feel may be important, such as copies of traffic
tickets, police reports, photographs, and medical records. If
you have injuries, include their nature and extent
It is vitally
important that you file your complaint as soon as possible so that
photographs can be taken and medical records obtained quickly. A
complaint must be received by the OPC within 45 days of the date
of the incident. You can file a report with the MPDC any time.
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