Cleveland Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Office of Professional Standards — the civilian oversight body for Cleveland. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Office of Professional StandardsHow easy is it to share feedback with Cleveland?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 07/12/2024.
Cleveland Police Department (OH)
How to file a complaint about a Cleveland Police Department officer
The Cleveland Police Department serves roughly 358,146 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 Cleveland, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Office of Professional Standards — independent civilian oversight
The Office of Professional Standards is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Cleveland Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. It accepts anonymous complaints, so you can file without giving your name.
- File online with the Office of Professional Standards
- By phone: 216.664.2944
- In person or by mail: 205 W. St. Clair Ave, Cleveland OH 44113
- Office of Professional Standards website
2. Cleveland Police Department Cleveland Police Department — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Cleveland Police Department are investigated inside the department itself. The department has not publicly confirmed whether anonymous complaints are investigated.
- Email: clepolicecomplaints@city.cleveland.oh.us
- Phone: (216) 664-2944
- In person or by mail: 205 W. St. Clair Ave, Cleveland OH 44113
- 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 Professional Standards 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 Cleveland Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- General department line: 216.623.5000
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 07/12/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.