How to File a Complaint in New York Police?

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To file a complaint with the New York Police Department (NYPD), you can follow these steps:

Determine the type of complaint

The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) investigates complaints related to police misconduct, including excessive force, harassment, discrimination, and other violations of NYPD policy. You should be clear on what type of complaint you have, so you can provide accurate information.

Contact the Internal Affairs Bureau:

You can file a complaint online through the NYPD’s website or by phone at (212) 741-8401. You can also visit the IAB in person at 90 Church Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10007.
Provide Information: Be prepared to provide the following information when filing a complaint:

The officer’s name or badge number, if known

The location, date, and time of the incident
The names of any witnesses or other officers involved
A detailed description of what happened

Any supporting documents, such as photographs or videos

Follow Up: After filing a complaint, you will be given a tracking number. You can use this number to check on the status of your complaint. The IAB will investigate your complaint and may contact you for additional information.

It is important to note that filing a complaint does not guarantee that disciplinary action will be taken against the officer. However, it is an important step in holding officers accountable for their actions and improving police-community relations.

When filing a complaint with the New York Police Department (NYPD), there are certain documents that may be required, depending on the nature of the complaint. These may include:

Identification: You will need to provide a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card.
Incident Report: If you were involved in an incident with an officer, you may be required to provide a copy of the incident report, which can be obtained from the police department.
Witnesses: If there were witnesses to the incident, you may be asked to provide their contact information, so they can be interviewed as part of the investigation.
Photographs or Videos: If you have any photographs or videos that document the incident, you may be asked to provide them as evidence.
Medical Records: If you were injured as a result of the incident, you may be asked to provide medical records or bills related to your treatment.

It is important to note that not all of these documents will be required for every complaint. The information and documents needed will depend on the nature of the complaint and the specific circumstances of the incident.

Eligibility and fees

Filing a complaint with the New York Police Department (NYPD) is free of charge and there are no eligibility requirements to do so. Anyone can file a complaint against an NYPD officer, regardless of their citizenship or residency status.
However, there are certain limitations on the types of complaints that the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) can investigate. For example, the IAB cannot investigate complaints about the NYPD’s policies or procedures, or complaints about the criminal justice system in general.
Additionally, if you are filing a complaint about an incident that occurred more than 18 months ago, the IAB may not be able to investigate it, as there are statutes of limitations for certain types of complaints.
In general, if you have experienced police misconduct or believe that an NYPD officer has violated departmental policies, you are eligible to file a complaint. It is important to note that filing a complaint does not guarantee that disciplinary action will be taken against the officer, but it is an important step in holding officers accountable and improving police-community relations.

Processing time

The processing time for a complaint filed with the New York Police Department (NYPD) can vary depending on the nature and complexity of the complaint. Once a complaint is filed with the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), it will be assigned to an investigator for review.
The investigator will review the complaint, gather any necessary evidence or witness statements, and conduct an investigation. The length of the investigation will depend on the nature of the complaint and the availability of witnesses and evidence. In some cases, the investigation may take several weeks or even months to complete.
Once the investigation is complete, the investigator will submit a report to the IAB’s Commanding Officer, who will review the report and make a recommendation for disciplinary action, if appropriate. This recommendation will then be reviewed by the NYPD’s Commissioner, who will make the final decision on disciplinary action.
In general, the entire process of investigating and resolving a complaint can take several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the case. However, the NYPD is required to provide periodic updates to the complainant on the status of their complaint, so they know what to expect throughout the process.