District of Columbia Police Complaints Board and Office of Police Complaints

Summary

The Police Complaints Board (PCB) and its investigative arm, the Office of Police Complaints (OPC), are independent civilian bodies established in 1999 to review misconduct complaints against MPD and DC Housing Authority Police officers. OPC independently investigates complaints including excessive force; complaint examiners issue findings of fact that may only be rejected if they clearly misapprehend the record. Discipline recommendations go to the Police Chief for action (advisory). The 2022 Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act expanded the Board to 9 all-civilian members (one per ward plus at-large) and granted OPC direct access to BWC recordings. OPC also issues annual use-of-force reports and has subpoena power enforceable through DC Superior Court.