What You Need to Know About Reporting Police Misconduct in California
Police misconduct is a very serious issue throughout the country. Police misconduct can be defined as an officer’s illegal or unethical actions that violate an individual’s constitutional rights. Here’s how to report police misconduct in California.
It is the Department of Justice’s general policy that local governments are responsible for citizen’s complaints against law enforcement. An Attorney General will review complaints and investigate when serious allegations have been made.
What is Police Misconduct?
There are many behaviors and circumstances that can qualify as police misconduct. However, some examples of police misconduct are police brutality, dishonesty, fraud, coercion, torture to force confessions, abuse of authority, and sexual assault, including demanding sexual favors in exchange for leniency. Any of these actions constitute police misconduct.
Related: Police Misconduct Laws in California
Reporting Police Misconduct
If an individual is ready to report an incident of police misconduct, it is important that they do so in a timely manner. Individuals should follow these steps to properly report police misconduct in California:
- Direct your report to the local law enforcement agency. Every California agency is required to establish a procedure to investigate all complaints.
- If an individual is alleging that a law enforcement officer has committed a crime and the complaint is not resolved by their local law enforcement agency, they should next contact the county’s district attorney where the law enforcement agency is located. Contact information is available at California District Attorney’s Association.
- If an individual’s complaint involves alleged criminal misconduct and local agencies do not act upon it, the individual may write to the Attorney General’s Office. Correspondence must include specific details about the misconduct, the efforts to resolve the complaint with local authorities, and finally copies of complaints and copies of responses.
Related: How to File a Lawsuit for Police Misconduct in California
FAQs About How to Report Police Misconduct in California
Who investigates police misconduct?
Each employing agency is responsible for an internal investigation to determine if the alleged officer misconduct warrants action by the Criminal Justice Standard and Training Commission. As mentioned above, an attorney general can also investigate police misconduct if the report was mishandled by local government agencies.
Is there anyone I can call to report police misconduct?
If an individual in California would rather call than file a report, they can call the Department’s Internal Affairs Group Hotline at 1-800-339-6868. This hotline is intended to help with complaints regarding police misconduct.
Related: Examples of Police Misconduct and How to Protect Yourself
What are the legal consequences of police misconduct?
Depending on the severity of the misconduct, police officers may be forced to resign from their job. They may also get fired, receive orders to pay fines, or face jail time.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one have any more questions on reporting police misconduct in California, contact us. We’ll get you in touch with the most qualified attorney for your unique legal matter. Get your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today!