Show All Answers

1. What is a citizen complaint?

A citizen complaint is an allegation from any source, of any action or inaction by Department personnel the individual considers being contrary to law, proper procedure, good order or in some manner prejudicial to the individual, the Police Department, or to the community.

If the only complaint is a contention of innocence of a charge without any allegation of misconduct by the officer, you should seek judicial redress through established court procedure.

2. Who handles citizen complaints?

Complaints about the quality of service provided will be assigned to the employee’s immediate supervisor by the Chief of Police. Examples of these complaints are:

• Discourtesy/Unprofessional Attitude
• Improper Procedure (e.g. offense investigation, use of discretion, official law enforcement practices, etc.)
• Lack of Proper Service

Allegations of misconduct will be handled by the Chief of Police and/or the judicial system. Examples of these complaints are:

• Criminal Conduct
• Discrimination
• Improper searches and seizures
• Serious misconduct (severe nature or pattern of violations, lack of service, etc.)
• Sexual misconduct
• Unnecessary pointing of firearms at persons
• Use of excessive force

3. How do I file a complaint?

A complaint can be filed in: 

• Email
• Facsimile
• In person or by mail at:
  4200 Springdale Road
  Cincinnati Ohio 45251
• Telephone at 513-321-2677
• Verbally
• Writing

All police personnel are authorized to take complaints, including third party complaints. A Colerain Township Police Department Citizen Complaint Form (DOC) will be completed each time a complaint is filed.

4. What information do I need to provide?

On the Colerain Township Police Department Citizen Complaint Form you will be requested to give your name, address, phone numbers where you can be reached and the name, address, and phone numbers of any witnesses. You will also need to provide the date, time, and facts of the incident. If you have the officer’s name, badge number, shift assignment, or car number it would be helpful, but is not necessary.

5. How will my complaint be resolved?

Resolving Complaints

Each complaint will be resolved in writing. Your complaint will be assigned a number which will be provided to you. This number will be used to follow your complaint through the process. A quality of service complaint will be assigned to a supervisor and fully investigated. You may be asked to appear at our Police Department for an interview or it might be handled over the telephone.

Any serious allegation described above will be handled by the Chief of Police and/or either of the two section Commanders. This may include asking for assistance from another police agency or the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. In either case the complaint will be fully investigated.

After the Complaint Is Filed

Once the complaint is filed you will be contacted and thoroughly informed of the process that will follow. You will also be kept informed as the process progresses.

Upon completion of the investigation a report will be forwarded to the Chief of Police for final disposition. Once the report is approved, you will be informed in writing of the outcome of the investigation of your complaint including whether any non-disciplinary corrective action or disciplinary action was taken.