Allegheny County Sheriff's Office
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Independent Police Review Board — the civilian oversight body for Pittsburgh. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Independent Police Review BoardHow easy is it to share feedback with Pittsburgh?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 10/22/2024.
Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office (PA)
How to file a complaint about a Allegheny County Sheriff's Office officer
The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office serves roughly 1,217,045 residents. If you had a problem with an officer, you have three distinct ways to file a complaint — and they are not equivalent. Here is how each one works in Pittsburgh, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Independent Police Review Board — independent civilian oversight
The Independent Police Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Allegheny County Sheriff's Office officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. Note that it requires identification — anonymous complaints are not investigated. No notarization is required to file. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
- File online with the Independent Police Review Board
- How the Independent Police Review Board complaint process works
- By phone: 412-350-1945
- In person or by mail: 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15219
- Independent Police Review Board website
2. Allegheny County Sheriff's Office Allegheny County Sheriff's Office — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Allegheny County Sheriff's Office are investigated inside the department itself. The department has not publicly confirmed whether anonymous complaints are investigated.
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Independent Police Review Board so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- As of our last audit, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- General department line: 412-350-4700
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 10/22/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.