Berkeley Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) — the civilian oversight body for Berkeley. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA)How easy is it to share feedback with Berkeley?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 09/10/2024.
Berkeley Police Department (CA)
How to file a complaint about a Berkeley Police Department officer
The Berkeley Police Department serves roughly 116,595 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 Berkeley, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) — independent civilian oversight
The Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Berkeley Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. No notarization is required to file. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
- File online with the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA)
- How the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) complaint process works
- By phone: (510) 981-4950
- In person or by mail: 2020 Milvia Street, Ste 250, 94704
- Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) website
2. Berkeley Police Department Berkeley Police Internal Affairs Bureau — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Berkeley Police Internal Affairs Bureau are investigated inside the department itself. The department has not publicly confirmed whether anonymous complaints are investigated. The filing deadline is 90 days from the incident.
- Email: IABureau@berkeleyca.gov
- Phone: (510) 981-5706
- Department page on the complaint process
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The Berkeley Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- General department line: (510) 981-5900
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 09/10/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.