Providence Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Providence External Review Authority (PERA) — the civilian oversight body for Providence. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Providence External Review Authority (PERA)How easy is it to share feedback with Providence?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 10/28/2024.
Providence Police Department (RI)
How to file a complaint about a Providence Police Department officer
The Providence Police Department serves roughly 189,590 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 Providence, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Providence External Review Authority (PERA) — independent civilian oversight
The Providence External Review Authority (PERA) is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Providence Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. No notarization is required to file. Complaints must be filed within 365 days of the incident.
- File online with the Providence External Review Authority (PERA)
- How the Providence External Review Authority (PERA) complaint process works
- By phone: 401-680-5790
- In person or by mail: 400 Westminster Street, Suite 201, Providence RI 02903
- Providence External Review Authority (PERA) website
2. Providence Police Department Providence Police Department Office of Professional Responsibility — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Providence Police Department Office of Professional Responsibility are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Providence External Review Authority (PERA) so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The Providence Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- 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: 401-272-3121
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 10/28/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.