New York City Police Department

New York, NY
★ Civilian oversight

This department has independent oversight.

Sivil routes complaints first to Civilian Complaint Review Board — the civilian oversight body for New York. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.

File directly with Civilian Complaint Review Board
Feedback features audit

How easy is it to share feedback with New York?

We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 07/02/2026.

Online filing form
No
No online form found; mail or in-person only
Anonymous reports
Unverified
Anonymous policy unavailable
Filing info page
Yes
Dedicated webpage explains the process
About this department

New York City Police Department (NY)

Filing guide

How to file a complaint about a New York City Police Department officer

The New York City Police Department serves roughly 8,804,199 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 New York, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.

1. Civilian Complaint Review Board — independent civilian oversight

The Civilian Complaint Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about New York City 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.

2. New York City Police Department Internal Affairs — the department's internal channel

Complaints filed with Internal Affairs 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 Civilian Complaint 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 New York City 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, Instagram 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: 646-610-5000

Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 07/02/2026. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.