San Francisco Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Department of Police Accountability — the civilian oversight body for San Francisco. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Department of Police AccountabilityHow easy is it to share feedback with San Francisco?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 06/28/2024.
San Francisco Police Department (CA)
How to file a complaint about a San Francisco Police Department officer
The San Francisco Police Department serves roughly 782,846 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 Francisco, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Department of Police Accountability — independent civilian oversight
The Department of Police Accountability is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about San Francisco 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 Department of Police Accountability
- How the Department of Police Accountability complaint process works
- By phone: 415-241-7711
- In person or by mail: 1 South Van Ness Ave 8th Floor, San Francisco CA 94103
- Department of Police Accountability website
2. San Francisco Police Department San Francisco PD Department of Police Accountability — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with San Francisco PD Department of Police Accountability 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 Department of Police Accountability so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The San Francisco Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- General department line: (415) 553-0123
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.