Commendations and Complaints

UC San Diego Police Department staff members are expected to uphold the university's mission while legally and properly performing their duties. We value your feedback and appreciate the opportunity to incorporate your suggestions and ideas to better serve you and the UC San Diego community. We invite you to complete our Interaction Satisfaction Survey.

Commendations

Let us know when police department employees perform their duties in an exemplary way so that we can recognize their good public service.

Complaints

If you believe the conduct of police department employee is inappropriate, report it immediately. We promptly and thoroughly investigates all citizen and anonymous complaints to:

• Preserve the morale and integrity of the department and its personnel
• Foster public trust and confidence in the department and its personnel
• Ensure that corrective or disciplinary action is taken when appropriate

What is your policy on filing complaints?

The safety and security of our campus is a joint effort. Community members and the police department work together to build a safe and peaceful campus community where the educational, research and public service goals of the university can be achieved. Through the complaint process, the UC San Diego Police Department would like to foster an open channel of communication with our community, which allows us to maintain the highest possible standards. Complaints also help us to protect the university community from possible misconduct and to provide a basis for a thorough and impartial investigative procedure to protect those departmental employees who perform their duties properly.

To this end, the UC Police Department welcomes constructive criticism of the department and valid complaints against its members or procedures. Conversely, if we are doing something you like and appreciate, we would like to hear about that as well.

How do I make a complaint?

A citizen complaint is a grievance that a citizen believes the police department should be aware of so a proper investigation can take place. You can file a citizen complaint against a police department employee:

• By phone – Call (858) 534-4357 and ask to speak with a supervisor.
• By the UCOP Whistleblower Hotline at (800) 403-4744 or https://www.ucop.edu/uc-whistleblower
• By email – Send a message to Ask-a-Cop.
• By U.S. or campus mail – Complete the complaint form (PDF) and address it as follows:

• In person – Visit the Police Department, located at Campus Services Complex - Building B, and ask to speak with a supervisor.

Information received through the complaint form will be acted upon promptly with investigations conducted in accordance with applicable law and university policy. The complainant will be informed of the outcome of the investigation in accordance with California law, PC 823.7 (e) (1). The department or agency shall provide written notification to the complaining party of the disposition of the complaint within 30 days of the disposition.

Do I have to use the complaint form?

No. However, we encourage you to use the complaint form, which is available at the UC San Diego Police Department or online complaint form, because it provides us with sufficient information to start investigating your complaint.

Do I have to disclose my name and contact information?

No. You can make an anonymous complaint. However, we may not be able to obtain additional information from you, which may impede our ability to investigate your complaint. In addition, you will not be informed of the disposition of your complaint unless we have your contact information.

How much time do I have to submit a complaint?

Although you can submit a complaint at any time following an incident, we encourage you to submit the complaint as soon as possible.

What will happen to my complaint once you receive it?

You should receive an acknowledgement of your complaint promptly. In addition, at your request, we will send you a copy of the complaint you submitted and any statement you made at the time you filed the complaint. 

The Chief of Police, or a designee, will review your complaint and assign an investigator (unless your complaint is about the Chief, and then the complaint will go to his/her manager). The investigator may contact you to get additional information that will help him/her investigate your complaint. If an employee’s actions have violated any department rules, regulations, policies or laws, appropriate action will be taken.

What will you tell me about the results of any investigation?

Within 30 days of the complaint disposition, UC San Diego Police will notify you about the results of your complaint.

Will action be taken against the officer or employee?

If an officer or non-sworn employee has violated departmental rules or regulations, or other policies or laws, appropriate action will be taken.

Will I be informed of what action is taken?

We must comply with university policies and state and federal law regarding discipline taken against employees. Therefore, although we will notify you of the disposition of your complaint, we cannot provide you with information against what action, if any, is taken against the officer or employee.

Questions?

For more information, contact us.