STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATIONPOLICY GOVERNING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AGAINST PEACE OFFICERSDFPI–ENF 53A (Rev. 11-20)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATIONPOLICY GOVERNING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AGAINST PEACE OFFICERS

PurposeThis form is to allow you the opportunity to submit a complaint about a peace officer
employed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). You havethe right to make a complaint against a peace officer employed by the DFPI. Penal Codesection 832.5 requires the DFPI to have a procedure to investigate citizen complaints,
and retain these complaints for at least five (5) years.
Complaint Process
How to Submit a Complaint: Complete the form either online or print and return bymail. Send your completed form to DFPIPeaceOfficerComplaint@dfpi.ca.gov or if
sending in by mail send to: California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation,
Attn.: Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement Division, 2101 Arena Blvd, Sacramento, CA95834. Once the complaint is received you may be contacted for further information.
Please include the following information in your complaint:
The date, time and exact location of the incident. The peace officer’s name and physicaldescription. Witnesses' names, addresses and telephone numbers. License numbers forany vehicles involved in the incident. Any other evidence you feel may be important suchas copies of citations, photographs, and medical records. If you have injuries include
their nature and extent. If you are injured it is vitally important that you file your complaint
as soon as possible so that photographs can be taken and medical records obtained
quickly. Pursuant to 832.7(b) when you file your complaint, you should receive a copy ofit regardless of how it is filed.
The Investigation Process
The complaint will be investigated by a trained investigator. The investigation may
include interviews of witnesses and peace officers, a review of department records,policies and procedures, inspection of medical records and photographs, and legal
analysis. Once the complaint investigation is completed it will be reviewed by a team ofsupervisors to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Preliminary disposition letters will be sent to both the complainant and the peaceofficer(s). The complainant and peace officers have the right to make an appointment
with the investigator to review the procedures followed in the investigation. If thecomplainant or the peace officer disputes the preliminary disposition they will have ten(10) days to request a hearing in writing. The Commissioner will review your request
and notify you by mail whether your request has been granted. If it has, you will also beadvised of the date and time of the hearing. If no hearing is requested within ten (10)STATE OF CALIFORNIA –DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATIONPOLICY GOVERNING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AGAINST PEACE OFFICERSDFPI–ENF 53A (Rev. 08-20) Page 2 of 2days the disposition will be made final and pursuant to Penal Code section 832.7(e) (1)the DFPI will provide the complainant and the peace officer written notification of thedisposition of the complaint within 30 days of the disposition.
Review Hearing Process

Review Hearings are held following the conclusion of the DFPI investigation at therequest of the complainant or of the officer or when, in the opinion of the Commissioner,a hearing would facilitate the fact finding process. Hearings have been structured to be
as non-adversarial as possible. The legal, technical rules of evidence do not apply;
there is no direct or cross examination of witnesses unless all parties agree otherwise.
The hearing is not a court of law or a substitute for a court. The Investigative Hearing
Officer, who is not a member of our staff, and who has had no previous contact withyour case, will decide only the facts of your case. The facts are then applied to
Departmental rules and procedures, by the Commissioner, who will decide whether tosustain the allegations contained in your complaint.
At The Hearing
It is important that you attend the hearing, even if you did not request it. Your absence
may cause evidence not to be considered which could alter the outcome.
If you need an interpreter, one can be provided for you at no charge if you advise theHearing Coordinator as soon as possible before your hearing date.
Both complainants and officers have the right to have a representative present during allparts of the hearing. Representatives are not mandatory, but you are encouraged tobring one. Your representative may be a friend, family member, an attorney or anyone
else who is not a witness in your case.
Should you want a representative, you must get your own.