File a Police Misconduct Complaint in Long Beach

Public Safety California 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of California

Long Beach, California residents and visitors can file complaints about police conduct through the Long Beach Police Department and related civilian oversight channels. This guide explains where to submit complaints, what to include, common enforcement outcomes, and how to follow up. It covers contact points, typical timelines, appeal options, and practical steps so you can start a complaint with confidence. When official forms or procedures are noted, the source is the City of Long Beach police or city offices.

Penalties & Enforcement

Police misconduct investigations in Long Beach are handled by the Long Beach Police Department's Professional Standards/Internal Affairs functions and any civilian review or commission the city designates. Where the official page specifies penalties, those are quoted; where it does not, the guide notes "not specified on the cited page." The city’s administrative discipline for officers may include counseling, written reprimand, suspension, termination, or referral for criminal prosecution; monetary fines against officers as an enforcement tool are not described on the cited city page.[1]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing misconduct are handled through administrative review; specific escalation schedules are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: counseling, written warnings, unpaid suspension, termination, policy retraining, and referral for criminal charges when applicable.
  • Enforcer: Long Beach Police Department Professional Standards/Internal Affairs and any civilian oversight commission named by the city; complaints are accepted by the police department or city complaint offices.[1]
  • Appeals and reviews: administrative appeal routes and timelines are not specified on the cited page; inquire with the department contact listed below.
  • Defences/discretion: investigatory determinations consider officer statements, body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and any lawful justification; explicit statutory defenses are not summarized on the cited page.
Keep copies of every document, photo, and message you submit about a complaint.

Applications & Forms

The Long Beach Police Department provides a complaint intake page and may offer a downloadable complaint form or online submission on its official site; where form names, fees, or exact submission instructions are shown on the city page, they are cited. If no formal form is published, you may submit a written statement describing events, witnesses, times, and locations.[1]

  • Form name/number: available on the official police complaints page if published; check the linked city page for the current form.
  • Submission: in person, by mail, or via the department’s online complaint intake if provided on the official page.
  • Deadlines/fees: no fees are listed on the city complaint page; filing deadlines for administrative review are not specified on the cited page.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: photos, video, witness names, dates, times, and any officer badge numbers.
  2. Write a clear statement: describe what happened in chronological order, noting location and injuries or property loss if any.
  3. Submit the complaint to the Long Beach Police Department by the method shown on the official complaints page.[1]
  4. Request a case or reference number and ask about estimated timelines for an initial response.
  5. If you disagree with the investigation result, ask the department for appeal or review steps and any civilian oversight review options.
Ask for copies of any internal reports and the investigator's contact details when you file.

FAQ

How do I file a police misconduct complaint in Long Beach?
You file a complaint with the Long Beach Police Department using the department complaint intake procedures listed on the official city police complaints page. [1]
Can I submit evidence like video or photos?
Yes; include copies of video, photos, witness names, and any other documentation with your complaint statement.
Can I file anonymously?
The city page describes how to report concerns; whether anonymous submissions are accepted or how they affect investigations is not specified on the cited page.
How long does an investigation take?
Timelines vary by case; the official page does not state a fixed investigation duration. Contact the listed investigator for status updates.

Key Takeaways

  • File promptly, include evidence, and request a case number.
  • Official intake routes are on the Long Beach Police Department complaints page.[1]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Long Beach - Police Compliments & Complaints

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