What does PRC mean in POLICE

The Police Review Commission (PRC) is an independent citizen oversight agency responsible for reviewing complaints concerning officer misconduct or excessive use of force by police officers in Oakland. This commission works to ensure that police are held accountable and that the public has a way to report and hold police accountable.

Anyone who feels they have been mistreated by a police officer or witnessed an act of misconduct may file a complaint with the PRC. All complaints received by the PRC are investigated regardless of source.

You can either file your complaint online at www.oaklandca.gov/prc, or you can stop by any Oakland Police Department substation and pick up a hardcopy complaint form. Once you have completed the form, return it in person or via mail to the Records Section at 455 7th Street, 4th Floor, Oakland CA 94607.

Yes, all complaints must be lodged within six months from date of incident for Internal Affairs investigations, and one year from date of incident for other investigations such as criminal prosecution or civil court action.

Yes, some categories of complaints such as violations of department policy (e.g., tardiness/absenteeism) are not investigated by the PRC unless they involve potential criminal behavior or misuse of authority. Additionally, general inquiries regarding police activity and service should be directed to other City Departments such as 311 or OPD Customer Service Unit at 510-777-3333.

No, you do not have to disclose your identity when lodging a formal complaint against an officer; however, doing so may help facilitate an investigation since anonymous complaints may take longer due to lack of information provided by complainant and witness interviews that won’t be conducted if anonymity is requested during filing process.

Yes, your identity remains confidential except if required to be revealed through discovery proceedings in civil court action on behalf of law enforcement personnel potentially impacted by investigation findings, i.e., summary discipline imposed based on sustained allegations contained in conclusion report generated following completion of investigation conducted pursuant herein mentioned civilian review process as incorporated into internal affairs procedures utilized within applicable governmental jurisdiction / agency's respective operational framework

Each case is handled differently depending on its complexity and availability/accessibility of information related thereto; however, most cases are resolved within 90 days if all parties involved cooperatively cooperate during pending investigations stage prior thereto occurrence thereof resolution therein accordingly substantially reducing overall duration levels expected thereof allowing this average timeline estimate formulation herein stated whilst simultaneously considering due diligence elements pertinent therefore enumerated under these guidelines specified separately elsewhere hereby alluded preamble mode ensconced as necessary prerequisite procedure hereinabove accepted standard operating protocol set down previously mentioned slightly earlier.