FAQs

There are a number of ways to file a complaint:

1. You can complete and submit an online complaint form through our website: CLICK HERE
2. You can come in person to our office. Our address is 205 West St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44113. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm. You do not need to have an appointment.
3. You can email us at: CLEPoliceComplaints@city.clevelandohio.gov
4. You can download a complaint form, complete it, and fax it to us. Fax number: 216-420-8764.
5. You can download a complaint form, complete it, and send it to our address: 205 West St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44113 via US Mail.
6. You can file a complaint through the phone. Please call us at 216-664-2944.
7. You can visit any of the five Cleveland Division of Police District Stations or the Cleveland Division of Police Headquarters (address: 1300 Ontario St. Cleveland, Ohio 44112) and file a complaint there.
8. You can visit Cleveland City Hall (Room 228) and file a complaint there.
9. If you ask for a complaint form from officers in the field, they are required to provide one. If the complaint is against that officer, they are required to advise a supervisor that you would like a complaint form.

Anyone may file a complaint with OPS, including subjects of police incidents, recipients of police services, a witness to a police incident, a third party, a legal representative, an anonymous person, the OPS Administrator, or a member of the CPRB. To file a complaint online, please, click here.

The Office of Professional Standards is the fact-finding agency that is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct, including conducting interviews and analyzing evidence. Then, OPS investigators present their findings and recommendations to the Civilian Police Review Board in the context of a public hearing at City Hall.

The Civilian Police Review Board is composed of nine members, and they are responsible for reviewing all evidence, including interviews, documentation, and recorded incident footage, as well as investigators' final report. Then, they adjudicate, or render judgment, based on the evidence.

Complainants and Cleveland Division of Police employees are encouraged to attend the CPRB hearing during which their case will be reviewed. In fact, following the investigator's report and questioning by the CPRB, complainants are provided a strictly-enforced three-minute window in which to voice their own comments to the CPRB. Complainants are notified in advance when their complaint is scheduled to be reviewed by the CPRB.

Additionally, all CPRB hearings are open to the public and free to attend either in person at Cleveland City Hall or via livestream at the link below. Hearings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00am.

Date: The second Tuesday of each month
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave Room 514, Cleveland, OH 44114
Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvji5gYnraY74Emrj6N5wg

The Office of Professional Standards offers presentations to community centers, community organizations, high schools, community colleges, universities, sports clubs, churches, neighborhood groups, business associations, and local agencies.

For more information or to request a presentation, please call (216) 664-2944, send us an email, or complete the form found on the Community Outreach page.

This meeting of the Civilian Police Review Board (“CPRB” or “the Board”) is a lawful meeting. Under Section 605.04 of the Codified Ordnances of the City of Cleveland, Ohio, no person, with purpose to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting shall… do any act which obstructs or interferes with the due conduct of such meeting.

Public Comment

Members of the public are invited to speak for no more than (3) minutes in the portion of the CPRB meeting designated for public comment, and only under the rules set by the CPRB.

Case Presentation

Complainants are invited to make a statement regarding their case after it has been presented to the CPRB. The complainant will be provided a maximum of (3) minutes. During this time, the CPRB may elect to pose questions to the complainant relevant to the complaint.

CDP subject employees are invited to make a statement regarding their case after it has been presented to the CPRB. The CDP employee will be provided a maximum of (3) minutes. During this time, the CPRB may elect to pose questions to the CDP subject employee relevant to the complaint.

Disruptions including but not limited to speaking out of turn, making loud noises, and loud utterances are in violation of the rules and interfere with the due conduct of this meeting. In the event this type of behavior takes place, the meeting will be halted, and the individual(s) will be dismissed.

All determinations made by the Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB) are based on a preponderance of the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is defined as, based on all evidence, it is more likely than not that the conduct inconsistent with CDP policy, procedure or training has occurred or has not occurred.

Findings Definitions:

Unfounded: The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the alleged conduct did not occur.

Insufficient Evidence: The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish whether the alleged conduct did or did not occur.

Exonerated: The preponderance of the evidence gathered throughout the investigation supports a finding that the alleged conduct occurred, but the Officer’s actions were consistent with law, Cleveland Division of Police General Police Orders, training or procedures.

Sustained: The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the alleged conduct occurred, and the Officer’s actions were inconsistent with law, Cleveland Division of Police General Police Orders, training or procedures.

Yes, per the Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB) operating manual and procedures, complainants have the right to appeal the findings of the CPRB. Upon receipt of a formal disposition letter, complainants have (10) days to submit their appeal in writing to either the CPRB or the Community Police Commission (CPC). When submitting an appeal, please include your Office of Professional Standards (OPS) case number, your contact information and a reason for your appeal.

Community Police Commission
3631 Perkins Avenue, 4th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216)505-5920
clecpc@clevelandohio.gov

Civilian Police Review Board
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
clecomplaints@clevelandohio.gov

Office of Professional Standards
205 W. St. Clair Avenue, Suite 301
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(216) 664-2944
clecomplaints@clevelandohio.gov

Yes, please view our copious list of community-based resources, ranging from healthcare to housing.