Citizen Complaints & Commendations

Commending Performance

If you wish to praise the actions of any NOPD employee, you can speak to the employee's supervisor or write the Superintendent of Police at 715 South Broad St., New Orleans. LA 70119. A copy of your letter of commendation will be given to the employee and the original will be place in the employee's personnel file.

Submit a commendation online

Complaints

In order for the NOPD to effectively function in ridding the city of crime and disorder, it is essential that the public has confidence in the integrity of law enforcement. To maintain this confidence, NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau provides a means to investigate and adjudicate complaints made against NOPD by community members. Grievances will be thoroughly and impartially handled.

Submit a complaint online

Filing a Complaint in Person

Let NOPD Know What You Think
 Call Write Visit

Non-emergencies:
(504) 658-6800

Emergencies after hours:
(504) 821-2222
Request to speak to a ranking
New Orleans Police Officer

Commander
Public Integrity Bureau
1340 Poydras St Suite 1900, New Orleans, LA 70112

Monday–Friday
9:00am–4:30pm

Public Integrity Bureau Office
1340 Poydras St Suite 1900, New Orleans, LA 70112

Monday–Friday
9:00am–4:30pm

Additional Ways to File a Complaint

Citizens choosing to file a complaint using the following methods should also send a copy of the complaint to the NOPD Public Integrity Bureau.

The Complaint Process

 

The following slide show explains the process of filing a misconduct complaint. Click on the link to view the slide show.

An investigation will be conducted in all citizen complaints involving employees of the NOPD. Upon receiving your complaint, the Public Integrity Bureau will review, classify, and process the complaint. An investigator may contact you and obtain a tape recorded statement of your complaint. The investigator will ask you to provide as much detailed information as possible regarding the incident. If you were involved in, or witnessed the incident, this information will be extremely important to the investigation.

The investigator will contact all available witnesses, including police officers, examine all relevant evidence, and gather all information pertinent to each allegation. If for any reason there is a lengthy delay in the investigation you will be notified as to when you can expect to receive the results. After all allegations have been fully investigated, the Superintendent of Police will determine what action, if any, should be taken to resolve the complaint.

The Findings

  • UNFOUNDED: The allegation is false or not factual.
  • EXONERATED: The incident occurred but the accused employee's actions were lawful and proper.
  • NOT SUSTAINED: There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegations.
  • SUSTAINED: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence.
  • OTHER SUSTAINED MISCONDUCT: Supported allegations not included in the original complaint.

In all cases, the citizen will be notified in writing of the investigation findings. When a finding of "SUSTAINED" is made, the Superintendent of Police will determine what sanctions are appropriate. These sanctions range from oral or written reprimand to suspension, fine, or demotion, dismissal from the Department.

If the complaint contains allegations of criminal wrongdoing, a criminal investigation may be conducted in addition to administrative investigation. If the Criminal Investigation supports the allegations of criminal activity, the Office of the District Attorney will be consulted regarding filing of criminal charges and the arrest of the offending employee.