File a Complaint Against a St Louis Metropolitan Police Officer

Overview

The COB office will review and investigate allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).  

If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a SLMPD Officer involving excessive use of force, abuse of authority, sexual harassment and assault, discourtesy, racial profiling, or use of offensive language including but not limited to slurs relating to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, and disability and you want to file a complaint, follow the process described in this page.

Preparation

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

• You are at least 18 years of age,
• If under the age of 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will also be listed on the complaint.
• Third party submissions are not eligible. The office will not investigate complaints lodged by parties not directly involved in the incident which surrounds the basis of the complaint.

2. Be prepared to provide the following information to complete the JCCF:

• Written documentation of the events that led up to the complaint. Include the following details:
• Complainants full name and contact information including phone number, address, e-mail address 
• Exact Location of the incident
• Date and Time of the incident
• Names of Witnesses
• Officer Name and Badge Number if known
• Video if available

3. Watch the Video Overview

• A two-part video created by STL TV shows how to file a complaint with the Civilian Oversight Board (COB), as well as how complaints are reviewed and investigated. 

Instructions

Step 1: Download or pick up the Joint Civilian Complaint Form (JCCF)

• Download the Joint Civilian Complaint Form and complete it and sign it.

If unable to download the form, pick up the JCCF from any of the following patrol stations:

• South Patrol 3157 Sublette St. Louis, MO 63139

• Central Patrol 919 North Jefferson St. Louis, MO 63106

• North Patrol 4014 Union St. Louis, MO 63115

The completed form must be delivered ONLY to the COB office. Patrol stations cannot accept the form.

Step 2: Submit your completed and signed form

You may submit your form by postal mail, by email, or in person.

By Email

Enter in the subject field: COB complaint

Email your form to: cobstlcity@stlouis-mo.gov

By Mail

Place your signed and completed form in a stamped envelope addressed to:

In Person

Bring the completed and signed form to the COB office at:

Fees

This process is free of charge.

What to Expect

• You will receive an acknowledgement letter within five (5) business days of filing your complaint.

• The complaint will be forwarded to the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) within 48 hours.

• Once a complaint is filed, the complainant must fully cooperate with the COB and IAD during the process to avoid closure of the complaint.

• Once the internal investigation is completed, the findings and recommendations will be submitted to the COB for a review and analysis. The COB shall conduct an independent review of the findings, information, evidence, and recommendations.

• Following the final approval of the recommendation, the Executive Director will then notify the complainant by letter to inform them of the final disposition of the complaint.

You should expect to be contacted by both the COB office as well as the Internal Affairs Division investigators. You will be required to give a formal, verbal statement regarding the allegations listed in the complaint.

It is imperative the complainant and all witnesses cooperate with the investigators by providing a formal statement to ensure the complaint is investigated thoroughly.

At any time during the process, the COB and/or IAD, may recommend to the complainant, the law enforcement officer who is subject to the complaint, and the Commissioner that a complaint be mediated. If all agree to the mediation, the COB process shall cease.

Any resolution through mediation must be agreed by all parties involved. If the complaint is resolved through mediation the complaint shall be classified as having been resolved through mediation.

Additional Information

Be Advised

Mediation is always an option. Please notify the office if you are interested in mediating a dispute.

Under Missouri Law, it is unlawful to make a false report to the police, hinder or interfere with an investigation, or provide false information to the police.

If you have criminal charges pending before a Court, filing a complaint will not result in the charge being dismissed. The complaint process has no bearing on the court system. The matter must be resolved by the Court.