Please fill out the UC Police Department Compliment or Complaint Form if you wish to file a complaint or commendation towards a UC Santa Cruz Police Officer(s). You may also file a commendation/complaint:
- In Person: At the Campus Police Department (Located near the Main Entrance of the campus)
- By Phone: Contact the Campus Police Department at (831) 459-2231; or
- By Email: Send the email, with a description of the incident and service provided, to the UC Santa Cruz Police Department. Address the communication to Chief Kevin Domby (police@ucsc.edu).
The public’s trust, confidence, and support are essential to a positive relationship between the UC Santa Cruz Police Department and the public it is sworn to serve. Consistent with California Penal Code §832.5, UC Santa Cruz has developed a complaint process to address concerns and complaints regarding the UC Santa Cruz PD. All investigations are kept confidential and retaliation for filing a complaint is prohibited.
A complaint should be filed when you feel that a member of the UC Santa Cruz Police Department has acted improperly in the course of their work. Whether the complaint is related to discourteous treatment, failure to take action, inaccurate report writing, an unjustified arrest, unnecessary force or any other police action that you feel is wrong, the Police Accountability Board wants to know about it.
What if I have a complaint?
“A relationship of trust and confidence between members of the University Police Department and the community we serve is essential to effective law enforcement. Officers must be free to exercise their best judgment and to initiate law enforcement action in a reasonable, lawful and impartial manner, without fear of reprisal. Likewise, officers have a special obligation to respect the rights of all persons.
The UC Santa Cruz Police Department acknowledges its responsibility to establish a system of complaint and disciplinary procedures which not only subjects the officer to corrective action when they conduct themselves improperly, but will also protect them from unwarranted criticism when they discharge their duties properly.
It is the purpose of these procedures to provide a prompt, equitable, open and expeditious disposition of complaints regarding the conduct of members and employees of this department.”
Kevin Domby
Chief of Police
COMPLAINT FAQs
Must a complaint be made in person?
No. An initial complaint may be made by the described methods above. You may be asked to complete a written form through the NAVEX system, as well as be interviewed by an investigator.
Are there any restrictions on making a complaint?
A complaint should be made as soon after the incident as practical. All complaints will be investigated at the direction of the Chief of Police and pursuant to University Policy.
Will my complaint be investigated?
Each complaint is read and assigned by the Chief of Police, and will be completely and thoroughly investigated. Citizen complaints will also be forwarded to the Office of Equity & Equal Protection (EEP)
Will action be taken against the employee?
If an employee’s actions have violated any department rules, regulations, policies, or laws, appropriate action will be taken.
Anonymous Complaints?
Anonymous complaints are accepted. The NAVEX complaint system is the best method for submitting anonymous complaints. The police department will accept anonymous complaints where there is sufficient information to warrant an investigation without the aid of the complainant.