Citizen Complaint Process
NOTICE: Citizen Complaint Authority office hours are 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Please call the Citizen Complaint Authority office (513-352-1600) BEFORE you visit to ensure the office is open. Walk-in complaints are taken between the hours of 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. Complaints can also be filed online or by email.
Any person who feels he or she has been the victim of police misconduct by a Cincinnati Police Officer or a person who witnessed police misconduct by a Cincinnati Police Officer may file a complaint. A complaint can also be filed anonymously. Anonymous complaints will be treated with the same importance as any other complaint.
You can complete an official complaint form online or prepare a written account of your complaint and submit by mail or in person. Citizen Complaint Authority complaint forms are available at the Citizen Complaint Authority Office. You can also submit complaints by email to CCA@cincinnati-oh.gov.
When you file a complaint, please be date, time and location specific. The accuracy of the information you provide is important for CCA to conduct a diligent investigation. Include:
- the date, time, and location of the incident;
- the officer's name, badge number, and physical description;
- any witnesses' names, addresses and telephone numbers; and
- if you have injuries related to this incident, the nature of the injuries.
If you were treated for injuries related to this incident, include:
- the name of the person administering treatment;
- the facility where you received treatment; and
- the treatment record for your injuries related to this incident.
The Executive Director determines whether specific complaints are suitable for Citizen Complaint Authority investigation. Complaints that are not suitable for Citizen Complaint Authority investigation are referred to the Cincinnati Police Department Internal Investigation Unit for investigation. Many complaints referred to the Internal Investigation Unit are handled via the Cincinnati Police Department's Citizen Complaint Resolution Process (CCRP).
All complaints within Citizen Complaint Authority's jurisdiction will be investigated and assigned to an investigator within 48 business hours. Each complaint, excluding allegations of criminal misconduct against an officer, will be directed to Citizen Complaint Authority regardless of where it was filed initially.
Under Citizen Complaint Authority jurisdiction, the Citizen Complaint Authority Board will review completed investigations and the City Manager will decide the final disposition of the complaint. Citizen Complaint Authority notifies the complainant when a final disposition has been reached on a complaint.
View this diagram to better understand the Citizen Complaint Authority process.