San Diego County Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board — the civilian oversight body for San Diego. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Citizens' Law Enforcement Review BoardHow easy is it to share feedback with San Diego?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 06/28/2024.
San Diego County Police Department (CA)
How to file a complaint about a San Diego County Police Department officer
The San Diego County Police Department serves roughly 519,218 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 San Diego, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board — independent civilian oversight
The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about San Diego 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.
- File online with the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board
- How the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board complaint process works
- By phone: (619) 238-6776
- In person or by mail: 555 W Beech St, Suite 220, San Diego CA 92101
- Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board website
2. San Diego County Police Department San Diego County Sheriff's Department Internal Affairs Unit — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with San Diego County Sheriff's Department Internal Affairs Unit are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.
- Phone: (858) 974-2065
- In person or by mail: PO Box 939062, San Diego CA 92193
- 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 Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The San Diego County Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- General department line: 858-868-3200
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 06/28/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.