Filing a complaint against a police officer can be done in several ways, depending on the jurisdiction and the type of complaint. Here are some things to know about the process:

• Complaints can be filed for various reasons: A citizen can complain about a police officer for a variety of reasons, such as harassment, retaliation, or use of excessive force.

• Complaints must be taken: Every officer must accept a complaint, and a person cannot be denied the right to file a complaint.

• Complaints can be filed in different ways: Complaints can be submitted via fax, hand delivery, email, or online, depending on the jurisdiction. It is important to visit the website of the police department in question to find out the specific process for filing a complaint.

• Complaints can lead to different outcomes: Depending on how a person chooses to complain, there are different possible results and consequences. For example, if a person decides to sue a police officer in a civil lawsuit or lay a criminal charge, a trial will be held in court where the person will have to explain the complaint to a judge. If a person decides to submit a complaint directly to the chief of police of the police service involved, or to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), several specific procedures will follow. If an investigation is conducted by the public complaint investigators from the involved police service, the chief of police or O.P.P. Commissioner.

• Complaints can be internal or external: Filing an internal complaint is the only avenue that can lead to discipline or termination of a police officer other than a criminal conviction of the officer, which very rarely happens. Even if an internal complaint is not sustained, it usually stays in the officer’s personnel file.

• Complaints should not be threatened: If a person feels they have been wronged by police, they should not waste time threatening an officer with a potential complaint.

• Complaints can have implications on the criminal case: If there are criminal charges pending against a person, they should speak to their criminal defense attorney before making any type of complaint about police conduct. An internal complaint may hurt the criminal case because the person will need to discuss the facts of the incident with the police department.

In summary, filing a complaint against a police officer can be done in several ways, and the process and outcome can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of complaint. It is important to understand the specific process for filing a complaint and to seek legal advice if there are criminal charges pending against a person.