Last reviewed: June 1, 2026 · Written by James Carter, Consumer Rights Researcher · Independent resource — not a government site
Report police misconduct to your local Internal Affairs division, your city Civilian Review Board, and the DOJ Civil Rights Division at justice.gov/crt or 1-855-856-1247. For criminal conduct by officers contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.
Quick answer: Report police misconduct to your local police department’s Internal Affairs division, your city’s Civilian Review Board if one exists, and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division at justice.gov/crt or 1-855-856-1247. For civil rights violations by federal officers, contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.
Every person in the United States — regardless of citizenship status — has constitutional rights that police officers are legally required to respect. When those rights are violated through excessive force, unlawful arrest, racial profiling, or other misconduct, there are official channels to report it. This guide explains every option, from internal complaints to federal civil rights complaints.
What Counts as Police Misconduct?
Reportable police misconduct includes: excessive or unnecessary force, unlawful searches and seizures without a warrant, racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement, false arrest or imprisonment, sexual misconduct, verbal abuse and threats, failure to provide medical assistance, falsifying reports, and retaliation against people who file complaints. You can report conduct you experienced personally or witnessed happening to someone else.
Where to Report Police Misconduct
| Type of Misconduct | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Local police officer misconduct | Internal Affairs + Civilian Review Board | Contact your city/county |
| Civil rights violations | DOJ Civil Rights Division | justice.gov/crt | 1-855-856-1247 |
| Federal officer misconduct | FBI + DOJ OIG | tips.fbi.gov |
| Pattern of misconduct (whole dept) | DOJ Special Litigation Section | justice.gov/crt |
| Jail or prison conditions | DOJ + state corrections board | justice.gov/crt |
How to Report Police Misconduct Step by Step
- Document everything as soon as possible. Write down exactly what happened — date, time, location, officer names or badge numbers, patrol car numbers, what was said, and what actions were taken. Do this immediately while details are fresh. Photograph any injuries.
- Seek medical attention if injured. Go to an emergency room or urgent care and request documentation of all injuries. Medical records are critical evidence in misconduct complaints and any future legal action.
- Gather witnesses and evidence. Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident. Check for surveillance cameras in the area — businesses, ATMs, and traffic cameras may have footage. Request preservation of any footage immediately before it is overwritten.
- File a complaint with Internal Affairs. Contact the police department’s Internal Affairs (IA) or Professional Standards division. You can do this in person, by mail, or online depending on the department. Request a copy of your complaint and the assigned case number.
- File with the Civilian Review Board if available. Many cities have independent Civilian Complaint Review Boards (CCRBs) that investigate complaints outside the police department. These are often more transparent. Search “[your city] civilian review board” to find yours.
- File a federal civil rights complaint with the DOJ. If the misconduct involved a civil rights violation — racial discrimination, excessive force, unlawful search — file at justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint or call 1-855-856-1247. The DOJ Civil Rights Division investigates patterns of police misconduct.
- Contact the FBI for serious violations. For criminal conduct by police officers — including assault, sexual abuse, or civil rights crimes — report to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI investigates federal criminal civil rights violations under 18 U.S.C. § 242.
- Consult a civil rights attorney. For serious incidents involving injury, false arrest, or significant rights violations, consult a civil rights attorney. Many take cases on contingency. The ACLU at aclu.org can refer you to attorneys and may take cases of broader public interest.
Your Rights During a Police Encounter
You have the right to remain silent — say clearly “I am invoking my right to remain silent.” You have the right to refuse a search — say “I do not consent to this search.” You have the right to an attorney if arrested. You have the right to record police in public spaces in all 50 states. You cannot be punished for asking for a badge number or officer’s name. These rights apply regardless of your immigration status.
Frequently Asked Questions
For related guides see: How to Report Unfair Treatment at Work, How to Report Workplace Harassment, and our Government & Benefits Reporting Hub.