Filing a Compliment or Complaint

The Howard County Department of Police is committed to providing the highest quality service to its citizens and others who visit our County.

It is the policy of the Department to monitor its services and allow citizens to comment about the quality of service they have received.

The public is encouraged to commend officers when they are appreciative of their service, and are equally encouraged to question or complain about innappropriate service or actions.

Complementary letters can be addressed directly to the office of the Chief of Police at any police facility within Howard County.

Complaints may be filed several ways:

• by letter, addressed to the Office of the Chief
• by telephone, at any police facility within Howard County
• in person
• by submitting a Complaint Against Personnel form, which is available in the Forms section of this web site.

Complaints of a serious nature will be handled by the Internal Affairs Division which is responsible for the acceptance,oversight and adjudication of allegations of police misconduct.

This fundamental role ensures the professional integrity of the police department based on objective and thorough investigations of complaints against police personnel.

All complaints received about members of the Department are investigated following a strict policy and in accordance with The Law Officer's Bill of Rights.

If you have questions, please contact the

Internal Affairs Division at 410-313-5800.

Non-English speaking citizens should contact Internal Affairs or the duty officer at 410-313-3200 to make arrangements to file a complaint.

The Internal Affairs Annual Report is available for public dispersement.