How to File a Police Misconduct Complaint - Los Angeles
Introduction
In Los Angeles, California, residents can file complaints about alleged police misconduct with multiple official bodies overseeing the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). This guide explains which offices handle complaints, the typical steps to report misconduct, what to expect during investigation and review, and available appeal routes. It summarizes practical action steps, common issues, and how to preserve evidence so your complaint can be fairly evaluated.
Who Handles Police Misconduct Complaints
Complaint intake and investigation are handled by several Los Angeles offices with distinct roles:
- LAPD Internal Affairs Bureau — primary investigator of allegations of officer misconduct.
- Board of Police Commissioners — provides civilian oversight and can review investigations and disciplinary recommendations.
- Office of the Inspector General (OIG) — audits investigations and reports on systemic issues.
What Qualifies as Police Misconduct
- Excessive or unreasonable force.
- Racial profiling, discrimination, or biased conduct.
- Unlawful search or seizure, wrongful arrest, or procedural violations.
- False statements, evidence tampering, or improper use of police authority.
How to File
You can file a complaint in person at any LAPD station, by mail, or through the city's published complaint channels. Provide as much detail as possible: date, time, location, names or badge numbers if known, witness names, and any photos, videos, or medical records. Keep copies of all documents you submit.
- Deadlines: file as soon as possible; specific statute or administrative limits may apply for certain remedies or disciplinary appeals — check official pages for limits or "not specified on the cited page."
- Intake options: in-person, mail, or official complaint forms where available.
- Evidence: attach photos, video, witness statements, or medical reports.
Penalties & Enforcement
Sanctions for substantiated police misconduct in Los Angeles may include administrative discipline, mandatory retraining, suspension, termination recommendations, or referral for criminal prosecution where warranted. Specific fine amounts for misconduct by officers are not typically listed as monetary penalties on public complaint pages because discipline is generally administrative rather than monetary against officers; monetary awards may arise in civil litigation rather than administrative discipline, and such figures are not specified on the cited pages. Current as of February 2026.
- Fines: not specified on the cited page for administrative discipline of officers; civil damages in lawsuits vary and are determined by courts.
- Escalation: first investigations may result in counseling or reprimand; repeat or serious violations can lead to suspension or termination (ranges not specified on the cited page).
- Non-monetary sanctions: retraining, corrective action, suspension, termination, or referral to prosecuting authorities.
- Enforcers and reviewers: LAPD Internal Affairs investigates; the Board of Police Commissioners reviews findings and discipline; OIG audits processes.
- Appeals: disciplined officers may have appeal rights under MOU or civil service rules; timelines and procedures depend on the specific disciplinary instrument and are not specified on the cited page.
- Defenses/discretion: investigations consider officer statements, body-worn camera footage, and whether actions were objectively reasonable under the circumstances.
Applications & Forms
The city publishes a citizen complaint form for reporting misconduct; form names or formal numbers are not consistently listed on a single consolidated page and therefore are "not specified on the cited page." You can usually obtain the complaint form online on official department pages or in person at any LAPD station.
FAQ
- Can I file anonymously?
- You can submit a complaint without identifying yourself, but anonymous complaints may limit investigators' ability to follow up and collect evidence.
- How long will the investigation take?
- Investigation length varies with complexity; official pages do not provide a single standard timeline and so timing is "not specified on the cited page."
- Will the officer be suspended immediately?
- Immediate suspension is rare and typically reserved for serious allegations; most cases proceed through investigation and disciplinary review.
- Can I appeal the outcome?
- There are appeal or review routes depending on the discipline process and collective bargaining agreements; exact time limits depend on the specific procedure and are not specified on the cited page.
How-To
- Collect evidence: save video, photos, witness contacts, medical records, and your own contemporaneous notes.
- File the complaint: submit the city or LAPD complaint form in person at a station, by mail, or through official municipal complaint channels.
- Get a receipt or tracking number and keep copies of everything you send.
- Follow up: check status with the intake office after the investigation period and note any deadlines to appeal or request review.
- If dissatisfied, seek review by the Board of Police Commissioners or consult civil remedies; document all communications and deadlines.
Key Takeaways
- File promptly and preserve all evidence and witness information.
- LAPD Internal Affairs, the Police Commission, and the OIG each play separate oversight roles.
- Administrative discipline is distinct from civil claims; remedies and timelines differ.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) - official site
- City of Los Angeles - Board of Police Commissioners
- Office of the Inspector General - City of Los Angeles