Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Office of Police Complaints — the civilian oversight body for Washington. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Office of Police ComplaintsHow easy is it to share feedback with Washington?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 08/07/2024.
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department (DC)
How to file a complaint about a Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department officer
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department serves roughly 678,972 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 Washington, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Office of Police Complaints — independent civilian oversight
The Office of Police Complaints is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Washington DC Metropolitan 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. Complaints must be filed within 90 days of the incident.
- File online with the Office of Police Complaints
- How the Office of Police Complaints complaint process works
- By phone: (202) 727-3838
- In person or by mail: 1400 I Street, NW, Washington DC 20005
- Office of Police Complaints website
2. Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department Washington Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Washington Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.
- Email: citizen.complaints@dc.gov
- Phone: (202) 727-4385
- In person or by mail: 64 New York Ave., NE, Washington DC 20002
- 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 Office of Police Complaints 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 Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- General department line: (202) 737-4404
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 08/07/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.