Something happened. Document it and file the complaint.

Is this you?

Is this happening to you?

You had an encounter with police that shouldn't have happened, and you want it on record and acted on. If this is you:

• Excessive or unreasonable force
• An unlawful search, stop, or arrest
• Racial profiling or discrimination
• Threats, slurs, or intimidation
• A report that doesn't match what happened

A complaint is reviewed on the record — the badge numbers, the dates, the witnesses, the video. That is the thing this app builds.

How it works

Three steps.

1. 1

   Capture

   Record the incident if it is safe to do so, note badge and car numbers, save video and photos with backups, and get witnesses.

2. 2

   Build

   Everything lands on one dated timeline, in the order it happened.

3. 3

   File

   Export a complete, dated record for your complaint — to internal affairs, an oversight board, or the DOJ.

If they still say no

You are not out of options.

A department that closes your complaint is not the last word. docmydispute knows the routes a police complaint can take in the United States, and keeps your record ready for whichever one you reach.

1. L1
   Internal Affairs

   Internal Affairs / Professional Standards

   File a complaint with the internal affairs division of the department that employs the officer. The most direct route, and the one most likely to open a formal investigation of the specific officer.

   Typically Deadlines vary by jurisdiction — check your local rule
2. L2
   Civilian oversight

   Civilian oversight board (where one exists)

   Many cities have a civilian review board or oversight commission that can examine the department's investigation, and in some cities conduct their own. Availability and powers vary widely by city — some can investigate and subpoena, others review after the fact.

   Typically Varies by city
3. L3
   State authority

   State Attorney General / county district attorney

   For more serious matters, or where local channels do not resolve it, the state Attorney General's office. Where a crime is alleged, the county district attorney may be the route in some states.

   Typically Varies by state
4. L4
   Federal civil rights

   U.S. DOJ Civil Rights Division

   For civil rights violations such as excessive force, racial profiling, or unlawful arrest, a federal complaint creates a separate federal record. The FBI handles potential criminal civil-rights violations.

   Typically Varies — act promptlyOfficial site →

General guidance, not legal advice. Procedures and deadlines vary widely by jurisdiction — administrative complaint windows can run from around 90 days to several years. Act promptly and check the rule where you are. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

When you hand it over

One file. The whole story, in order.

Whether it goes to internal affairs, an oversight board, the state Attorney General, or a civil-rights lawyer, they all want the same thing: what happened, on what date, with the evidence attached.

It never invents events. The words are yours to approve.

Start today

The next call you make should be written down.

Start the record now, while the dates are still fresh. It costs nothing to look.

Questions

Documenting a police complaint

How do I file a complaint against a police officer?

Start with the internal affairs division of the department that employs the officer. You can also go to a civilian oversight board where one exists, your state Attorney General, or the DOJ Civil Rights Division. A dated record of the incident supports the complaint.

What should I document about police misconduct?

The officer's badge and car numbers, the date, time, and exact location, what was said and done, any injuries, the witnesses, and any video — all dated.

Who investigates police misconduct?

Usually the department's internal affairs division; civilian oversight boards where they exist; the state Attorney General or district attorney for serious matters; and the DOJ Civil Rights Division for civil rights violations.

Is there a deadline to file?

Deadlines vary widely by jurisdiction, from around 90 days to several years. Act promptly and check the rule that applies where you are.

What does docmydispute actually do?

It keeps a dated record of the incident and every exchange that follows, drafts written correspondence from that record for you to review before sending, and compiles a complete case file you can hand to an oversight body or a lawyer. It is a tool of record — it does not give legal advice.

Other situations

Dealing with more than one thing?

docmydispute works the same way for any dispute where someone has more power than you. A few others:

See every situation →