The Office of Community Complaints

Board of Police Commissioners
Office of Community Complaints
Century Towers, Suite 2102
635 Woodland Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
(816) 889-6640 – Phone
(816) 889-6649 – FAX
communitycomplaints@kcpd.org – E-Mail

How do I file a complaint against a police officer?

Download and print a copy of the OCC complaint form #337 and return it to the Office of Community Complaints, any Kansas City, Missouri Police station, Police Headquarters, Northland Neighborhoods, Inc., theWestside CAN Center, orSt. Aloysius Church.  Forms are also available at the previously mentioned locations.  The addresses are listed below.

Para la forma #337 en Español, presione aquí.

Complaints may be filed at:

The Office of Community Complaints

Century Towers, Suite 2102
635 Woodland Avenue
Kansas City,Missouri 64106

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Any Kansas City, Missouri Police Station, Police Headquarters, or Satellite Office

Fair and Efficient Police Protection is a Right:

By Missouri State Statute, persons are granted the right to fair and efficient police protection.  As a community, we have given police officers authority and power to investigate complaints and arrest suspects for crimes they observe, as well as for those reported by citizens.

Under the authority of the Board of Police Commissioners, the Office of Community Complaints is responsible for protecting the citizen from the possibility of abuse or misconduct on the part of members of the police department and to protect the members of the police department from unjust and unfair accusations which may be created by citizens.  As a service agency for theKansas City community and the Board of Police Commissioners, the Office of Community Complaints is committed to effectively and impartially resolve all complaints involving a person’s guaranteed right to fair and efficient police protection.

The Office of Community Complaints is authorized to receive and process complaints in the following categories:

                        1.  Bias-Based Policing

                        2.  Discourtesy

                        3.  Excessive Use of Force

                        4.  Harassment

                        5.  Improper Member Conduct

                        6.  Improper Procedure

It is necessary for you to understand the police officer’s role in law enforcement and what you should do in the following situations:

What do you do if police come to your home?

If the police knock at your door and ask to come into your home, you do not have to allow them in unless they have either an arrest warrant or a search warrant.  The police are required to show you the search warrant if you ask to see it.

1.  An arrest warrant directs the police to bring the named person before the court.

2.  A search warrant directs the police to search a designated place for property stated in the order and bring that property to court.

3.  The police may enter your home without a search warrant if:

· They are chasing a subject who they believe is on your property.

· There is an emergency situation (for example, a person is heard screaming for help inside your home).

· If the search goes along with a legal arrest.

4.  If there is no arrest or search warrant, the police may enter if you consent to a search.

Points to remember:

· Calmly and politely ask the officers why they wish to search your home.  If you feel their explanation is unreasonable and has no legal foundation, you may deny them permission to search your home.

·  Do not argue with the officers or try to prevent them from entering your home, if they insist.

·  If you believe the police have acted improperly, file a complaint.

What do you do if you are stopped by the police on the street?

When approached, you are expected to treat a police officer in the same manner as the officer is expected to treat you: with courtesy and respect.  The police officer is responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and crime prevention.

The police have the authority to stop, question, and search you in a limited way, such as frisking for a concealed weapon.  These are legal police activities.  If approached by an officer, remain calm and do not make any sudden moves.  Keep your hands visible at all times.  Remember, the officer does not know if you are carrying a concealed weapon.

If you are suspected of a crime, the officer is authorized to detain you, to ask you to accompany him or her to the scene of a crime, to ask witnesses if they can identify you, or to take you to a police station.

If you think you are unjustly stopped, the best reaction or response is to be calm and polite.  Even if you don’t think there is a reason to stop you, the officer might have one.

What do you do if you are stopped by the police in your car?

As soon as you see the lights flashing or hear the siren, carefully pull over immediately.  Stay in your car, roll down your window, and wait for the officer to approach you.  Remember to keep both hands on the steering wheel, and wait for the officer to ask you for your license, registration, or insurance.  Turn on the dome light if you are stopped at night.

If you must retrieve documents from the glove compartment, under the seat, or in your pocket, wait until the officer approaches you and tell the officer what you are doing.  Never reach under the seat, beside the seat, or toward the glove compartment.  This could be interpreted as suspicious behavior.

Officers can search you, your belongings, and your car, but they cannot search you or your car if they stop you for only a traffic violation, unless there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest or if they find evidence of another crime in plain view, if your behavior is suspicious, or if the officer thinks you might have a weapon.

Some helpful tips when stopped by the police:

1.  Don’t challenge or threaten a police officer.

2.  Always identify yourself.  Provide your name, address, date of birth, and social security number if asked by the officer, and present some form of identification if requested.  Never give false information.

3.  Do not argue with an officer.

4.  Never put your hands in your pockets.  Keep them where they can be seen at all times.

5.  If you believe you are not guilty of a traffic violation for which you are issued a ticket, you may call Municipal Court at (816) 513-2700 to arrange for a “not guilty” court date.

6.  The police have the authority to arrest you for investigation based on probable cause that a crime has been committed or if you interfere or hinder an officer from conducting official police business.

What do you do if you think an officer has acted improperly?

1.  Physical resistance of an officer is against the law, even if you feel the actions of the officer are unjustified.  An officer is authorized to use physical force when confronted by resistance.  If you resist, you may face additional charges and risk injury to yourself or the officer.  To avoid these problems, never resist.

2.  If you feel an officer has used too much force or has abused his or her authority, you should get the officer’s name and badge number.

3.  Register your complaint with a member of the Office of Community Complaints staff. 

Complaints may be filed at:

The Office of Community Complaints

Century Towers, Suite 2102

635 Woodland Avenue

Kansas City,Missouri 64106

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Any Kansas City, Missouri Police Station, Police Headquarters, or Satellite Office:

Complaints must be filed within 90 days of the date of occurrence.  The complainant must be 17 years of age or older.  Complainants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will sign the complaint form and be considered a co-complainant.

Complaints will be received and reviewed by the Director of the Office of Community Complaints and forwarded to the Internal Affairs Unit for investigation or to the Mediation Coordinator for mediation of the complaint. 

If a complaint is investigated by the Internal Affairs Unit, the citizen will be contacted by a detective to give a formal (verbal) statement regarding the allegations of his or her complaint.  This statement is mandatory in order to have the complaint investigated.  Should a complainant fail to provide a formal statement or should a detective be unable to contact a complainant in order to schedule the formal statement, the complaint will be closed without further investigation.

Things to Remember:

• Mediation of the situation is always an option!  Be sure to notify the Office if you are interested in mediating the 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 a charge pending before any 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 in court.

• Filing a complaint will not prevent police from conducting legitimate law enforcement related activities involving you or the area in which you live, work, frequent, or in the location in which the event complained of occurred.

• The Office of Community Complaints is eager to assist you in any way possible.  If you have any questions concerning the complaint process, please do not hesitate to call the office at (816) 889-6640.

OR

If you would like to speak with an analyst, please call one of the numbers listed below.

If your last name begins with the letter:

The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the Board of Police Commissioners want to develop positive relationships with the community and invite the community to share the responsibility for finding workable solutions to problems that detract from the safety and security of the community.