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Commendations & Complaint Procedures

The University of California Police Department conducts itself according to the following core values:

  • Accountability: Holding ourselves responsible for our behavior and performance.
  • Respect: Safeguarding the rights, differences and dignity of all.
  • Integrity: Consistently conducting ourselves according to high standards of behavior.
  • Service: Ensuring the well being of our community by proactively meeting its needs.
  • Excellence: Striving to achieve the highest levels of professional performance.

A relationship of trust and confidence between members of the University of California Police and the community we serve is essential to effective law enforcement. 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 University of California Police Department acknowledges its responsibility to establish a system of complaint and disciplinary procedures which not only subject the officer to corrective action when he/she conducts himself/herself improperly, but also will protect him/her from unwarranted criticism when he/she discharges his/her 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 of the Department.

To this end, the University of California Police Department welcomes from members of the community constructive criticism of the Department and complaints against its members or procedures.

We also appreciate and welcome commendations and other comments from members of the public. To ensure excellent service is recognized and modeled, it is important for us to hear about our community's experiences.

Please use our commendation form to submit a commendation online. A commendation can also be submitted to the UCOP EthicsPoint hotline

How do I make a complaint?

Please fill out our complaint form and return it in person or by mail. The Police Station is located at 601 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

A complaint can also be submitted online to the UCOP EthicsPoint hotline


Must a complaint be made in person?

An initial complaint may be made by telephone, mail, or online; however, you may be asked to complete and sign a written form, 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.


Will my complaint be investigated?

Each complaint is read and assigned by the Chief of Police or his/her designee to be completely and thoroughly investigated by a UCLA police supervisor.


Will action be taken against the officer?

If an officer’s actions have violated departmental rules or regulations, or other policies or laws, appropriate action will be taken.


Where can I get data about complaints made against UCLA Police Department personnel?

Listed below are the complaints received from the public since 2016 and their dispositions.


Definitions:

  •  Affiliated: UCLA Student, Staff, or Faculty

  •  Non-Affiliated: All other individuals

  •  Unfounded: When the investigation discloses that the alleged act(s) did not occur or did not involve Department personnel. Complaints which are determined to be frivolous will fall within the classification of unfounded.

  •  Exonerated: When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred, but that the act was justified, lawful and/or proper.

  •  Not Sustained: When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the employee.

  •  Sustained: When the investigation discloses sufficient evidence to establish that the act occurred and that it constituted misconduct.
 

The Complaint Types are determined based on the UCLA Police Department's Standards of Conduct.
 

Complainant  Complaint Type Year Disposition
Non-Affiliate Discourteous 2023 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliate Discourteous 2023 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliate Discourteous 2023 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliate Discourteous 2023 UNFOUNDED
       
Non-Affiliate Unlawful conduct (theft, force) 2022 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliate Discourteous 2022 SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliate Rude and unprofessional conduct 2022 SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliate Rude and unprofessional conduct 2022 SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliate Theft of U.S. Currency ($800.00) 2022 UNFOUNDED

Affiliated

Discriminatory Treatment 2022 UNFOUNDED
       
Non-Affiliated Exceeding lawful peace officer powers 2021 UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Improper remarks 2021 NOT SUSTAINED
Affiliated Unsafe driving 2021 SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Discourteous behavior 2021 UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Improper remarks 2021 SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Improper conduct 2021 WITHDRAWN
Affiliated Improper driving 2021 SUSTAINED
       
Non-Affiliated Discourteous behavior/Discrimination
Exceeding lawful authority
Damage to vehicle
2020 NOT SUSTAINED/UNFOUNDED
UNFOUNDED
UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Discourteous behavior 2020 NOT SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Mishandling of personal property
Discrimination
Excessive force
2020 UNFOUNDED
UNFOUNDED
UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Discourteous behavior
Failed to complete complaint documentation
2020 NOT SUSTAINED
NOT SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Discourteous behavior 2020 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Discrimination
Exceeding lawful authority
2020 NOT SUSTAINED
UNFOUNDED
       
Affiliated Discourteous behavior 2019 NOT SUSTAINED
Affiliated Discourteous behavior 2019 UNFOUNDED
       
Non-Affiliated Harassment/Threatening 2018 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Excessive force 2018 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Failed to take report 2018 SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Failed to take proper action 2018 UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Discourteous behavior 2018 NOT SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Failed to take a report 2018 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Exceeding lawful authority 2018 NOT SUSTAINED
       
Non-Affiliated Discourteous behavior
Careless workmanship
2017 NOT SUSTAINED
SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Failure to take action 2017 NOT SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Excessive Force
Unlawful search
2017 UNFOUNDED
NOT SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Discourteous/Rude conduct 2017 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Harassment/Unreasonable behavior 2017 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Dereliction of duty/Harassment 2017 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Harassment 2017 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Harassment 2017 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Rude/Refusing to help 2017 UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Profiling
Disrespect
2017 NOT SUSTAINED
UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Discourteous behavior
Discrimination
2017 SUSTAINED
UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Exercised unlawful authority
Dishonesty
2017 NOT SUSTAINED
NOT SUSTAINED
       
Non Affiliated Excessive force 2016 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Racial profiling 2016 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Excessive force 2016 NOT SUSTAINED
Affiliated Improper conduct/Discrimination 2016 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Excessive force/Improper conduct 2016 UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Excessive force 2016 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Improper remarks 2016 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Improper remarks 2016 NOT SUSTAINED
Non-Affiliated Excessive force 2016 UNFOUNDED
Non-Affiliated Improper conduct 2016 UNFOUNDED
Affiliated Theft under color of authority 2016 UNFOUNDED


You can also obtain data on Civilians' Complaints Against Peace Officers at the State of California's OpenJustice website.