Montgomery County Police Department

Montgomery County Police Department (MD)

The Montgomery County Police Department serves roughly 1,062,061 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 Gaithersburg, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.

1. Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB) — independent civilian oversight

The Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB) is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Montgomery County 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. No notarization is required to file.

• File online with the Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB)
• How the Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB) complaint process works
• In person or by mail: c/o: Earl Stoddard & Lindsay Bolt , 20850
• Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB) website

2. Montgomery County Police Department Montgomery County Police Department Internal Affairs Division (IAD) — the department's internal channel

Complaints filed with Montgomery County Police Department Internal Affairs Division (IAD) are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints. The filing deadline is 366 days from the incident.

• Email: iad.mcp@montgomerycountymd.gov
• Phone: 240-773-6000
• In person or by mail: Public Safety Headquarters, Gaithersburg MD 20878
• 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 Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB) 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 Montgomery County Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
• The department's Facebook and X accounts accept direct messages — useful for quick questions, though social media is not a formal complaint channel and messages there generally aren't part of any official record.
• General department line: 301-279-8000

Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 09/11/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.