How to File a Complaint or Commend a Santa Monica Police Department Employee

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) welcomes feedback about our employees.

Commendations/Compliments

SMPD strongly believes in a service oriented philosophy and have an exceptionally high performance standard for our personnel. Feedback from community members regarding the service we provide is an important measuring tool to monitor our performance as an organization. If members of the Santa Monica Police Department have performed a service that deserves recognition, we want to know about it. To submit a commendation, please click here.

We thank you for taking the time to highlight an individual that continues our standard of providing excellent public service with the highest level of professionalism.

Complaints

You have the right to make a complaint against a member of the Santa Monica Police Department for any improper conduct. California law requires this agency to have a procedure to investigate complaints. You have the right to a written description of this procedure. Complaints and any reports or findings related to complaints must be retained by this agency for at least five years. The Santa Monica Police Department will investigate all alleged acts of misconduct on the part of any member of the Police Department.

Your valid complaints and criticisms help us to protect the community from possible misconduct by police employees. At the same time, a thorough and impartial investigation procedure helps protect police employees from unwarranted charges when they perform their duties properly. To submit a formal complaint, please click here.

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To report a crime, disturbance or other related issue, please click here or dial 310-458-8491.

To file a complaint against an SMPD employee, please complete this form.

To file a commendation/compliment please click here.

To file a complaint or commendation in person the Public Safety Facility at 333 Olympic Drive, go to the front desk in the lobby of the first floor.

You may complete the complaint form in advance or request a copy from the front desk officer.

To file a complaint against an SMPD employee, please complete this form.

To file a commendation/compliment please click here.

Please send all correspondence related to a commendation or compliant via mail to :

Santa Monica Police Department

Attention: Internal Affairs

333 Olympic Drive,

Santa Monica, CA 90401

To file a complaint against an SMPD employee, please complete this form.

To file a commendation/compliment please click here.

Contact Us:

(310) 458-8480

FAQ

Who can file a complaint against an officer or other police department personnel?

Things to remember:

If you believe you have a valid complaint, constructive criticism, or police personnel have conducted themselves improperly, you can report it.
When making a complaint, please try to include as much of the following information as possible, such as employee(s) name, badge number, and/or vehicle number. If you do not have this information, simply explain what happened by providing the date, time, and location of the incident.
You need not be a part of an incident to make a complaint.
You do not have to know any of the persons involved.
You may make a complaint as a witness to an incident.
Complainants are encouraged to submit their complaints in person whenever possible, in order that a complete report may be obtained as soon as possible after the incident.
Complainants under the age of 18 must give the report in the presence of a parent or guardian.
Our goal is to ensure that all personnel complaints are handled in a comprehensive and objective manner in accordance with department policy and applicable laws.

Who receives the complaints?

Internal Affairs is an administrative unit under the umbrella of the Professional Standards Division. Its primary responsibility is to investigate complaints of employee misconduct and manage the department's disciplinary process. We are also responsible for managing the personnel files of all current and former department employees.

Under direct command of the Chief of Police, the unit is comprised of a Lieutenant (Manager), two (2) Sergeant Investigators and an Administrative Assistant. They intake complaints, coordinate the employee disciplinary process, and act as the department's Custodian of Records for employee personnel files. We coordinate the review of files by employees, outside investigators and the courts when Pitchess motions or subpoenas are received. In addition, we maintain the unit's investigative files, track active complaints, prepare statistical reports and ensure appropriate records retention.

What is the investigative process?

The Investigative Process:

A Department representative will interview complainants, suspects, possible witnesses, and all other persons connected with the incident and prepare a report of his/her findings.
The written report will be forwarded to the concerned Division Commander.
The complete investigation will be submitted to the Chief of Police for evaluation and any action deemed necessary.

What information is made available related to the outcome of an investigation?

Disposition:

If it is determined, as a result of the investigation, that the actions of police personnel were improper or illegal, the personnel involved will be disciplined pursuant to established procedures of the department and city, and/or the case may be referred to the District Attorney for possible criminal action.

Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 823.8, you will not receive any information regarding disciplinary, or corrective actions imposed on the employee resulting from the investigation. By law, this information is deemed confidential and may not be disclosed. You will be notified when the complaint process has been completed.

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