Fairfax County Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Office of the Independent Police Auditor — the civilian oversight body for Fairfax. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Office of the Independent Police AuditorHow easy is it to share feedback with Fairfax?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 07/16/2024.
Fairfax County Police Department (VA)
How to file a complaint about a Fairfax County Police Department officer
The Fairfax County Police Department serves roughly 1,144,447 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 Fairfax, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Office of the Independent Police Auditor — independent civilian oversight
The Office of the Independent Police Auditor is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Fairfax County Police Department 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.
- How the Office of the Independent Police Auditor complaint process works
- By phone: 703-324-3459
- In person or by mail: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 233A, Fairfax VA 22035
- Office of the Independent Police Auditor website
2. Fairfax County Police Department Fairfax County Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Fairfax County Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.
- Phone: 703-246-2793
- 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 Independent Police Auditor so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The Fairfax County Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- General department line: 703-691-2131
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 07/16/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.