San Jose Police Department

San Jose, CA 1,075 sworn officers ★ Community Feedback Leader
★ Civilian oversight

This department has independent oversight.

Sivil routes complaints first to Independent Police Auditor — the civilian oversight body for San Jose. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.

File directly with Independent Police Auditor
Feedback features audit

How easy is it to share feedback with San Jose?

We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 06/28/2024.

Online filing form
Yes
Public-facing form on department website
Anonymous reports
Yes
IA investigates anonymous complaints
Filing info page
Yes
Dedicated webpage explains the process
About this department

San Jose Police Department (CA)

Filing guide

How to file a complaint about a San Jose Police Department officer

The San Jose Police Department serves roughly 952,530 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 Jose, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.

1. Independent Police Auditor — independent civilian oversight

The Independent Police Auditor is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about San Jose 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. San Jose Police Department San Jose Police Department — the department's internal channel

Complaints filed with San Jose Police Department 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 Independent Police Auditor so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.

Good to know

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.