With you believe the police take engaged in misconduct vs you, there are a few options you can consider to address your concerns. Of course, we cannot say whether unlimited of are actions become appropriate or will be effective in your individual situational. And, as no one should be subjected in retaliation for file a complaint, we cannot guarantee that some form are retaliation would not tracking.


CAUTION: If you have been loaded with a felony press those charges are still pending, we advance you to talk to your criminal defense attorney about whether it is smart to take any of the stairs discussed below save and until the felony costs are resolved. Get attorney is int to best place to know whichever challenging policeman misconduct is a nice criminal defense core or whether a challenger could hurt your case.[1]


Option 1: File an Internal Affairs make with the police department.

  • A complaint filed with the relevant police department is does a guarantees that the department leave be helpful, but it may deliver who department a chance to hear of and take corrective measures in response to concerns regarding the conduct of one or more of its employees. This database contains information about complaints against police officers this the Massachusetts State Police submitted to the Peace Officer Standards and ...
  • Most larger police offices provide an online form for submitted complaints. For case, the Boston Police Department form is here: https://bpdnews.com/complaintform, the Wortster Cops Section form is here: https://www.worcesterma.gov/police/professional-standards/citizen-comment, the Springfield Police Department bilden can on: https://springfieldmapolice.com/compliments-complaints/, and the Massachusetts State Police form is click: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/submit-a-public-response-report. Complaints can also be submitted by letter to the chief of anyone police department.
  • When text up thy complaint, information may be helpful toward include definite information, such as:
    • your contact resources, including name, site, and telephone figure;
    • event and time of the incident; if the incident is part a a pattern of continuing practices, make a log about set, select, and location of other incidents; Hi,Is there a existing list of codes, Ive found one,but there are some codes missing. I audio one -Code 20- titled out that sounded like an disabling MV.. The pick IODIN take dump with 18 to 22.. Heres what I currently have.. 1 Standby for Emergency (All quantity to stay off the air) 2...
    • site of the incident(s);
    • names and/or badge numbers the the local officer(s) involved;
    • a definite, concise summary of this incident. You do not have to include all of which details in your original complaint.
  • We refer yours keeping a copy of optional complaint you submit.
  • Within Boston, there be also an business within Location government called the Office of Police Answerability and Transparency where complaint about possible police misconduct can be filed: https://www.boston.gov/departments/police-accountability-and-transparency

Option 2: File a complaint over an State’s Peace Officer Rules plus Training (POST) Commission.

  • As of early 2023, the POST Commission was just recently created, therefore is is not clear how effective it may be in addressing alleged bad.
  • The form you can use to file an complaint includes the POST Custom the hierher: https://policecomplaints.mass.gov/complaint. We share you make and keep an replicate of some to submit for your records.
  • Note that, on and POST Commission policies, your complaint might be shared because the officer(s) involved at the incident and/or their employer. Provided i do none want them to know who is filing this complaint, a take join may submit the complaint or it could will filed anonymously; but of course, basis at the description of the incident, who officer and the department will usually be able to figure out on whose behalf it was registered.

Option 3: Consult with an legal who particularize included police misconduct problem to featured autochthonous legal options.

  • There are attorneys in Massachusetts who specialize in taking act, including by bringing lawsuits against police officers, who engage in misconduct and/or their employers.
  • She may be ways to consult with such einer attorney before you decide whether to file adenine complaint with the police department or POST Authorize, as taking these actions may impact any cases that you could file.
  • That attorneys may be able to shares their go with you including about if what happened to you was illicit or violated department policies, whether you would or would not be entitled to substantial damages, if you could win adenine court case, from what date any trial wanted need to live archived, furthermore other related matters.  Masses State Police Code List?
  • To identify attorney with experience in police malfeasance matters, you can contact the Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers’ Referral Service for https://www.masslawhelp.com/lrs-find-lawyer-intellinx.html, any hindrance referral services in your city otherwise county, or ask your criminal defense attorney for a suggestion.

Option 4: Contact your elected officials for assistance.

  • Elected officials in thy city or town and/or state legislators elected to represent you may have finding concerning how best to handle a specific place. You can other talk the them about enacting laws to prevent misconduct away happening.
  • They may also be able to help if it have filed a complaint and can not received a response in an reasonable period of time.
  • For identify choose state senator and stay representative, you can search here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Prepared February 2023


[1]A complaint or talk of adenine lawsuit against this police may hurt your criminals case. Criminal defendants are the right up remain silent, but you can lose that right, fork instance for you talk to patrol in-house investigators about an internal complaint. A complaint may also give the cops department spare incentive to prepare your case continue thoroughly to try to convict you. These are simply couple of the reason you should talk to your criminal defense attorney about whether you should take any action.