Civilian Complaints

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 31-21.2-8, each Municipal Police Department is required to establish a procedure to investigate complaints of police misconduct by members of the public against personnel of these agencies.

It is the policy of the Charlestown Police Department to provide the public with this venue pursuant to the following criteria:

1. If you feel that you have need to expresses your dissatisfaction with the actions ofa police officer, that officer shall advise the citizen of his/her name and immediate supervisor upon request.
2. If you feel that his/her actions warrant the intervention of the Charlestown Police Department, you should respond to the Charlestown Police Department and ask for the immediate supervisor of the officer you have the complaint against.
3. This supervisor will provide you with assistance by hearing your complaint.The supervisor will try to mediate this matter with you in a fashion that is equitable to both you and the officer involved in the complaint.
4. If the matter can be resolved at this level the matter will be considered closed.
   
5. If the matter cannot be resolved at this level, you have the option to request that a formal civilian complaint be filed on the matter and investigated by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
6. All formal civilian complaints must be provided to the Charlestown Police Department on a Civilian Complaint Form. These forms can be obtained at the following locations:
   a.The communications center located in the lobby of the Charlestown Police Department at 4901 Old Post Road, Charlestown, Rhode Island 02813.
   b.The Office of the Town Clerk, located at Charlestown Town Hall at 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, Rhode Island 02813.
   c.The Charlestown Police Department Website under the "Forms" tab at: www.charlestownpolice.org.
   
7. Once you have obtained and completed the Civilian Complaint Form you may return it to the Charlestown Police Department in person, by mail, or it can be emailed to the Office of the Chief of Police at chief@charlestownpolice.org

Download Civilian Complaint Procedure

Download Civilian Complaint Form

The below link is the Department of Justice Civil Rights Reporting Page and Portal.