What does the Atlanta Citizen Review Board do?
The Atlanta Citizen Review Board receives complaints from members of the public concerning sworn members of the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Corrections Department. The Board reviews the complaint, and may require an investigation into the complaint. The Board may also conduct public hearings and study broader issues that may be of concern to the community. The Board may advise the Mayor, the President of Council, Council members, and the Chief of Police and Corrections Department with the purpose of improving the ability of police personnel to carry out their duties, and to improve the relationship between the Department, Corrections and the community.
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What types of complaints can the Board investigate?
The Board is limited in the types of complaints that they can investigate. They are authorized to investigate the following types of conduct:
• abusive language;
• false Arrest;
• false imprisonment;
• harassment;
• use of excessive force;
• serious bodily injury or death that is alleged to be the result of the actions of an employee of the Police or Corrections Department.
The complaint must be filed within 180-days after the incident that gave rise to the complaint.
What the Atlanta Citizen Review cannot do.
The Board cannot adjudicate guilt or innocence. They cannot investigate complaints against non-sworn members of the police or correction department. They cannot award damages or assess costs against the City. The Board cannot impose discipline on employees; they may make recommendations to the Chief, the Mayor, and the City Council.
How do I file a complaint against a member of the Police or Corrections Department?
You may file a complaint with the ACRB using any of the following methods:
- Calling the ACRB office at 404.865.8622
- Mailing the complaint form to:
Atlanta Citizen Review Board
55 Trinity Avenue, SW; City Hall Tower, Suite 9100
Atlanta, GA 30303
- E-mailing your complaint to ACRB at ACRB@atlantaga.gov
- Faxing the completed form to ACRB at 404.494.1520
- Complete the online complaint form on the complaint form page
What can I expect if I file a complaint?
When the office of the Atlanta Citizen Review Board receives your complaint, a panel of Board members will review the complaint to ensure that it falls into the categories that the Ordinance requires. If the Board decides that the complaint falls into one of the designated categories and that the complaint was filed within 180 days after the incident, the Board may do one of the following things:
- dismiss the complaint if it does not fall within the Board’s authority;
- require that Board staff further review the complaint;
- request that the complaint be mediated;
- refer the complaint to the Police Department Office of Professional Standards or the Corrections Department for an internal investigation;
- conduct a full investigation of the complaint.
You will need to file your complaint in writing and under oath. ACRB staff will assist you with this.
What happens after my complaint is investigated?
After the complaint is investigated, the Board will consider the evidence. They may also conduct a hearing into the matter and subpoena witnesses and documents. The Board may then make recommendations to the Chief of Police, the Chief of Corrections, the City Council, the Mayor and the President of the Council. They may also conduct studies and analyze trends in order to improve the quality of public safety services for the City of Atlanta. |
