Indianapolis residents who believe they were mistreated by a police officer can file a complaint with the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board. The review board is responsible for reviewing grievances filed against officers of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Filing a Complaint
Allegations can include anything from officers using profane language or destroying property to using unauthorized force or acting in violation of the department’s rules and regulations. Formal complaints must be filed within 180 days of the incident that occurred. They can be submitted via email to [email protected] or by mail or in person to the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St.
Once your complaint is filed, the police department will conduct an internal investigation. The police chief will then make a recommendation on whether to discipline the officer or officers involved. At the public meeting to review the investigation, the complainant and officer or officers involved in the incident are each given five minutes to state their case to the board.
Board Composition and Process
The board is made up of nine voting members from the community and three non-voting police officers. The mayor appoints three members and one IMPD member, the City-County Council appoints six members and one IMPD member, and the Fraternal Order of Police appoints one member. Non-IMPD members are appointed to three-year terms and must complete 20 hours of training in police procedures and 16 hours of ride-alongs with an IMPD officer per year.
Board members must be Indianapolis residents. Sworn law enforcement officers are not eligible to be voting members. The board generally meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. The location often changes, so check the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
