How to file a Complaint or Commendation to the Somerville Police Department
We value your input, whether it be positive or negative. While we appreciate hearing when an officer has done well, it is of critical importance that we are also informed if you've had a negative encounter with one of our officers and wish to file a complaint.
Formal Complaint and Commendation may be filed one of three ways:
If you need translation or language-related help to send your complaint or thanks, the City's SomerViva Immigrant Outreach and Services Program can assist you. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Fill out the form posted below (the same form may be used for either complaints or commendation),
- Call our 24/7 non-emergency line at 617-625-1600, or
- Speak to the Shift Commander 24/7 at the Public Safety Bulding at 220 Washington St. in Union Square.
- Informal thanks may also be submitted online to HERE.
Formal Complaint or Thanks Form
To file a complaint or send commendation, please download and fill out the following form. You may either e-mail the form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or drop it off at:
Somerville Police Department | Download Adobe Reader PDF |
Attn: Professional Standards | Complaints Form (English) |
220 Washington St | Complaints Form (Spanish) |
Somerville MA, 02143 | Thanks and Complaints Form (Portuguese) |
Commendation Form (English) |
Responding to Allegations of Misconduct:
Somerville Police Department Professional Standards detail how the SPD responds to allegations of misconduct. To review the standards, please click, HERE.
Purpose
A relationship of trust between the employees of the Somerville Police Department and the citizens of essential. All police employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner as to reflect favorably on themselves and the department. To a large degree, the public image of the department is determined by how well it responds to allegations of misconduct against the department or its officers.
To that end, the objectives of an internal affairs investigation are to protect the public, the employee and the department. In addition, internal affairs investigations can be used to correct department-wide training issues as well as the removal of unfit personnel.
All alleged or suspected violations of laws, ordinances, by-laws, department rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and orders, both verbal and written, must be investigated according to the procedures outlined for each.
Policy
It is the policy of the Somerville Police Department to:
A. Investigate all complaints, including anonymous complaints, against the department, or employees of the department, regardless of the source of the complaint, through the use of regulated, fair, and impartial process.
B. Determine whether or not complaints are valid and proceed accordingly before asking an officer to submit a station report or interview.
C. Take appropriate action when necessary.
Translated Pages
Lt. Michael Perrone
Profesisonal Standards Division
Phone: 617-625-1600 Ext. 7211
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.