Complaints and Citizens Police Review Board Appeals

A complaint alleging police misconduct should be filed as soon as possible following the incident, but must be filed with either the City Clerk or with the police department within one year of the date of the incident. Any delay in filing a complaint may impair the ability of the City to investigate the allegations contained in the complaint.

File a Complaint

Please note that Section 590.502 RSMo took effect on August 28, 2021. This new state law has impacted civilian oversight in Columbia.

The following information applies to complaints filed on or after August 28, 2021:

Upon receiving a complaint alleging police misconduct involving interaction with the public, the police department will conduct an investigation. The chief of police will make a preliminary determination on the complaint, unless the officer is no longer working for the City of Columbia. The police chief will notify the officer and the complainant of the police chief’s preliminary determination and of the right to appeal such preliminary determination to the Citizens Police Review Board.

Pursuant to Section 21-51(e), both the police officer and the complainant have the right to appeal the police chief’s preliminary determination to the board.
An appeal to the board must be made in writing and delivered to the city clerk.

The city clerk must receive the appeal within ten (10) days after the notice of the chief’s preliminary determination was given. The appeal must be either hand-delivered to the office of the city clerk or sent to the city clerk by United States mail, facsimile machine or electronic mail.

Appeal Police Chief’s Decision

You have the right to have an advocate assist you with your complaint. You can have an advocate of your choosing. The City of Columbia maintains a list of trained volunteer advocates. If you would like a trained, volunteer advocate to assist you with your complaint, please contact the City of Columbia at 573.874.7223opens phone dialer.