You have the right to request mediation of your complaint. You have the right to request a public hearing regarding your complaint, as outlined in the CPRB ordinance. You have the right to ask for an independent investigation if your complaint alleges excessive use of force or civil rights violations. Contact the CPRB office for further information on mediation, hearing procedures and independent investigations. Police Rights Citizens bringing complaints against police must be truthful.
Police officers have rights, too.
It is a misdemeanor offense to deliberately make false and malicious complaints against police officers. Anyone can file a complaint regarding a Santa Cruz police officer s conduct or police policies or procedures. A complaint can be filed regardless of the complainant s age, residence, criminal record, current or past incarceration or any other characteristic. A complaint can be filed by the complaining party, a friend, a family member or any third person. The CPRB may review only signed complaints filed on the official City of Santa Cruz Citizen Complaint form.