Pittsburgh Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Citizen Police Review Board — the civilian oversight body for Pittsburgh. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Citizen Police Review BoardHow easy is it to share feedback with Pittsburgh?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 06/26/2024.
Pittsburgh Police Department (PA)
How to file a complaint about a Pittsburgh Police Department officer
The Pittsburgh Police Department serves roughly 304,825 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 Pittsburgh, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Citizen Police Review Board — independent civilian oversight
The Citizen Police Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Pittsburgh 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. Filing requires a notarized statement — plan for that extra step.
- File online with the Citizen Police Review Board
- How the Citizen Police Review Board complaint process works
- By phone: (412) 765-8023
- In person or by mail: 816 5th Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh PA 15219
- Citizen Police Review Board website
2. Pittsburgh Police Department Pittsburgh Police Department — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Pittsburgh Police Department 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 Citizen Police 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 Pittsburgh Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- General department line: 412-323-7800
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 06/26/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.