NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB)

Overview

Agency Mission

The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is an independent agency of the City of New York empowered to receive, investigate, mediate, hear, make findings, and recommend action on complaints against New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers. It is the largest civilian oversight agency of its kind in the United States. The CCRB acts as a neutral body, separate from the police department, ensuring that issues of police misconduct are handled impartially and transparently.

Jurisdiction and FADO

The CCRB investigates complaints falling under four specific categories of alleged misconduct, collectively known by the acronym FADO:

Force: Excessive or unnecessary use of force.
Abuse of Authority: Improper stops, searches, frisks, or entering a home without a warrant.
Discourtesy: Rude or impolite behavior, including inappropriate gestures.
Offensive Language: Slurs regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Filing a Complaint

The CCRB’s offices at 100 Church Street are open to the public for filing complaints in person. No appointment is necessary to speak with an investigator during business hours. The agency is committed to accessibility, offering interpretation services in numerous languages. Complaints can also be filed online, by phone, or by mail. When visiting the office, please note that 100 Church Street is a secure building; visitors will need to show ID and pass through security screening.