Contact Info

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File a complaint about the Austin Police Department online, over the phone, in person, or by mail. You do not have to provide your contact information. 

1. Select an option for filing a complaint.

Online

Required information

  • What happened
  • Date and time
  • Location
  • Your contact information

Optional information

  • Officer(s) involved
  • Witness(es)

Start

Over the phone

Call the Office of Police Oversight at (512) 972-2676. We'd be happy to speak with you. 

If you need an interpreter, just tell us the language you prefer. 

Complaint intake hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In person

You can complete the form in person at the Office of Police Oversight at 1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin TX 78754. We are in Building 1, on the 2nd floor, Suite 211. Visitor parking is in front of the main entrance. 

If you need an interpreter, just tell us the language you prefer. 

Complaint intake hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By mail

Download and the complaint form (PDF). Print and fill out the form, then mail it to:

Office of Police Oversight

P.O. Box 1088

Austin, TX 78767

2. You have three options to file a complaint but remain anonymous. 

Community members can anonymously submit concerns about their interactions with Austin Police Department officers online with the form above. You do not have to provide any contact information. The City may be limited in what it can do with that information if the complainant does not verify their statement under oath.

  • Submit an anonymous concern by phone

Community members can anonymously submit concerns about their interactions with Austin Police Department officers over the phone. You do not have to provide any contact information. The City may be limited in what it can do with that information if the complainant does not verify their statement under oath.

Call the Office of Police Oversight at (512) 972-2676. If you need an interpreter, just tell us the language you prefer. 

  • File a formal complaint anonymously

The State of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143 requires a sworn statement to question a police officer. 

 You may still submit a complaint and remain anonymous by visiting the Office of Police Oversight. OPO staff will request that APD's Internal Affairs division send APD officers to receive the anonymous complaint. The APD officers will listen to the complainant and certify that the complainant has chosen to remain anonymous. We encourage you to make an appointment to ensure assistance is available. 

 Call the Office of Police Oversight at (512) 972-2676. If you need an interpreter, just tell us the language you prefer. Complaint intake hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About the Complaints Process

Introduction

The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) Complaint Division accepts community feedback about interactions with the Austin Police Department. If anyone has had or has witnessed an interaction with the Austin Police Department (APD) and wants to provide feedback, they can file a complaint or offer a compliment online, over the phone, in person, or by mail. Community members do not have to provide their contact information and can remain anonymous throughout the feedback process. Here is an overview of our complaints process:

1. Submit a complaint or compliment

You can submit a complaint or compliment online, by phone, or in person. You do not need to provide your name or contact information.

  • Phone: (512) 972-9090
  • Online: www.atxpoliceoversight.org
  • In-Person: 1520 Rutherford Ln, 78756

2. Preliminary Review

Next, OPO complaints specialists review materials, like body camera or dash camera video, and any information the complaint provided to see if a policy violation occurred. After the preliminary review is complete, complainants can choose how to proceed:

  • A complainant can request a full investigation
  • A complainant can request to speak to an officer’s supervisor
  • The complaint can be documented as a community concern or general feedback for APD

3. Preliminary Investigation

If the complaint moves to a full investigation, OPO complaint investigators evaluate the preliminary review, interview the complainant and any witnesses, and determine if a policy violation occurred. A sworn affidavit may be requested.

4. Oversee APD’s Investigation

Complaints staff monitors APD’s investigation, participates in interviews with witnesses and officers, and provides monthly updates to complainants.

5. OPO Closes the Complaint

When APD completes the investigation, OPO complaints staff notifies the complainant of the investigation results, including any discipline issued.