19 June, 2010

FILING POLICE COMMENDATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

MPD CONTINUES EFFORTS TO KEEP COMMUNITY MEMBERS
EDUCATED ON FILING POLICE COMMENDATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is committed to providing quality,
professional service to all members of the community. The MPD does its best
to recognize individuals who provide exemplary service. Community members
or visitors to DC who have had a positive experience with an MPD officer or
civilian employee are invited to share their positive experiences by submitting a commendation.

Sometimes, however, individuals may feel that a member of the MPD has failed to meet that standard by engaging in misconduct or using excessive force. In these situations, individuals are encouraged to report this information to the MPD or the District of Columbia’s Office of Police Complaints (OPC). The Office of Police Complaints is a District Government agency that is independent of the MPD, and its mission is to receive, investigate, and resolve police misconduct complaints filed by the public against MPD and DC Housing Authority Police Department officers.

The MPD will investigate all complaints, including anonymous complaints,
in a fair, thorough, and impartial manner. OPC has the authority to investigate complaints alleging harassment; use of unnecessary or excessive force; use of language or conduct that is insulting, demeaning, or humiliating; discrimination; retaliation for filing a complaint with OPC; or failure to wear required identification or refusal to provide name and badge number when requested to do so by a member of the public.

»» OPC complaint forms and information sheets can be obtained by:
• Visiting OPC at 1400 I St., NW, # 700, Washington, DC 20005
• Calling OPC at (202) 727-3838
• Calling the OPC 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 866-588-0569
• Visiting OPC’s website, http://policecomplaints.dc.gov»
»» OPC complaint forms can be submitted:
• In person or by mail to the address above
• By fax to (202) 727-9182
• By dropping forms off at any MPDC district station»
»» To file a complaint with the MPD, you may:
• Visit any MPD District station or facility
• Call (202) 727-4385 or the 24-hour hotline at 800-298-4006
• Visit MPD’s website at mpdc.dc.gov
• Email the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) at citizen.
complaints@dc.gov
• Call the IAB TTY number at (202) 898-1454
• Submit your complaint in person at any MPD facility or
by mail to: Internal Affairs Bureau, Metropolitan Police
Department, 51 N Street, NE, 4th Floor, Washington, DC
• Fax your complaint to (202) 727-5116

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