SERVICE
File a complaint about police services
Start the complaint process about an SFPD officer or police policy.
What to know
Privacy
We will keep your information safe.
Courts and the public can sometimes request records. Before we share the records, we try to remove anything that could identify you. But it’s sometimes possible to work out who filed a complaint.
Your safety
Police officers cannot retaliate based on complaints.
What to do
You can make a complaint about any police policy or incident. You do not need to have been directly involved in the incident.
You can file a complaint any time after the incident. But we have only 1 year to finish an investigation after you’ve filed.
Tell us what happened
You’ll need to tell us about the incident. We need to know:
- Date
- Time
- Location
Anything else you can tell us about what happened will make it easier to investigate. We’ll ask you for:
- Officer names
- Witness names
- Incident report or citation numbers
Report an incident
An investigator will contact you for further information afterwards. We will need a phone number or email address.
You can call our offices to file a complaint.
You can come to our offices, or any police station, to file a complaint.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Update: Our office is currently closed until further notice for health and safety reasons. Please file your complaint online, by mail, or by phone.
You can mail a complaint by either sending us a letter or printing and filling out the complaint form:
We can also mail you a blank complaint form. Return postage will be included.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Supporting information
Special cases
Anonymous complaints
You can file a complaint anonymously. But it’s hard to investigate if we can’t ask you more questions.
Privacy in records requests
You can file a complaint anonymously. But it’s hard to investigate if we can’t ask you more questions.
We will keep your information safe.
Courts and the public can sometimes request records. Before we share the records, we try to remove anything that could identify you. But it’s sometimes possible to work out who filed a complaint.
If you do not speak English
We have staff who speak other languages including Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese and Burmese. If we don’t speak your language, we will provide a free interpreter.
After you file a complaint
Once we review your complaint, an investigator may contact you for more information. We’ll also notify any officers involved and their supervisors.
Mediation
If you request mediation or if it’s an option for your case, a mediation coordinator may contact you. The coordinator will explain the differences between mediation and investigation. You will also be able to ask any questions you have.
Investigation
If your case isn’t going to mediation, we’ll investigate whether the officer followed the rules. When we finish the investigation, we’ll let you know the outcomes.
We’ll also consider policy suggestions related to your complaint.
Why is this transaction good for the community?
Findings from your complaint can be used to influence SFPD policy.
Related
Get help
What to know
Privacy
We will keep your information safe.
Courts and the public can sometimes request records. Before we share the records, we try to remove anything that could identify you. But it’s sometimes possible to work out who filed a complaint.
Your safety
Police officers cannot retaliate based on complaints.
What to do
You can make a complaint about any police policy or incident. You do not need to have been directly involved in the incident.
You can file a complaint any time after the incident. But we have only 1 year to finish an investigation after you’ve filed.
Tell us what happened
You’ll need to tell us about the incident. We need to know:
- Date
- Time
- Location
Anything else you can tell us about what happened will make it easier to investigate. We’ll ask you for:
- Officer names
- Witness names
- Incident report or citation numbers
Report an incident
An investigator will contact you for further information afterwards. We will need a phone number or email address.
You can call our offices to file a complaint.
You can come to our offices, or any police station, to file a complaint.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Update: Our office is currently closed until further notice for health and safety reasons. Please file your complaint online, by mail, or by phone.
You can mail a complaint by either sending us a letter or printing and filling out the complaint form:
We can also mail you a blank complaint form. Return postage will be included.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Supporting information
Special cases
Anonymous complaints
You can file a complaint anonymously. But it’s hard to investigate if we can’t ask you more questions.
Privacy in records requests
You can file a complaint anonymously. But it’s hard to investigate if we can’t ask you more questions.
We will keep your information safe.
Courts and the public can sometimes request records. Before we share the records, we try to remove anything that could identify you. But it’s sometimes possible to work out who filed a complaint.
If you do not speak English
We have staff who speak other languages including Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese and Burmese. If we don’t speak your language, we will provide a free interpreter.
After you file a complaint
Once we review your complaint, an investigator may contact you for more information. We’ll also notify any officers involved and their supervisors.
Mediation
If you request mediation or if it’s an option for your case, a mediation coordinator may contact you. The coordinator will explain the differences between mediation and investigation. You will also be able to ask any questions you have.
Investigation
If your case isn’t going to mediation, we’ll investigate whether the officer followed the rules. When we finish the investigation, we’ll let you know the outcomes.
We’ll also consider policy suggestions related to your complaint.
Why is this transaction good for the community?
Findings from your complaint can be used to influence SFPD policy.