How to File Police Excessive Force Complaints

While the majority of police officers across the country perform their jobs in the proper manner, there are reports of excessive force in some isolated instances. If you happen to be the victim of excessive force by a police officer, you should file a formal complaint against that officer.

Instructions

1. Call your local police department's non-emergency number. Speak to a desk sergeant or officer in command. Or go to the police station and file your complaint in person.

2. Contact the chief of police and the district attorney by phone and/or mail and formally file a complaint of excessive force by the police officer in question.

3. Gather any witnesses to the excessive force incident, if any, and get their stories, names and contact information in writing. Present any recording or videotape of the incident, if available.

4. Follow up with the individuals with whom you filed the complaint to find out how it is being handled. If a few weeks pass and your complaint is not being handled satisfactorily, get a lawyer and pursue further action.

Tips & Warnings

• Most patrol cars are equipped with video cameras that record each time an officer is involved in a call. Ask the police chief to review that videotape if you believe the excessive force incident was captured on camera.

• If you are the only individual to file a complaint against a particular officer, chances are your complaint will not be handled with the same urgency should that officer have several complaints on file.

• Statistically, many excessive force complaints wind up being dismissed, or result in only token punishment for the offending officer.