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Lodge a Complaint

Criminal Justice Complaints

dpsst.complaints@dpsst.oregon.gov
503-378-2100
The mission of DPSST is to promote excellence in public safety by delivering quality training and developing and upholding professional standards for police, fire, corrections, parole and probation, polygraph and telecommunications personnel, in addition to licensing private security providers and private investigators in Oregon. To achieve this mission DPSST works in partnership with public safety agencies across the state. 

DPSST’s jurisdiction for Criminal Justice complaints is limited to the standards required for public safety officer certification established by the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training. These standards can be found in Oregon Administrative Rules accessible in the link below. ​

Criminal Justice includes: ​Police, Corrections, Parole & Probation, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Telecommunicator, Liquor Enforcement Inspector, and Public Safety Instructor:

OAR Chapter 259, Division 008​​
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Individuals filing a complaint with DPSST will receive verification of rec​eipt of a complaint and will be given any further instructions by return mail, if appropriate. The individual or employer of the individual subject to any complaints filed with DPSST may be provided with copies of this complaint and any enclosures.

All information provided on this form is subject to Oregon’s Public Records Law (ORS 192.410 to 192.505). DPSST may be required to release the information provided on this form, including the identity of the complainant, if requested. ​
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Complaint Form​


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Note: Any investigation, discipline, or remedy into alleged misconduct of a currently employed public safety professional is deferred to the public safety agency that employs​ the officer being complained against. DPSST will NOT initiate a professional standards review unless the officer pleads guilty to or is convicted of a crime OR the officer’s employment as a public safety officer is terminated. 

Every public safety agency in this state is accountable to an elected Official, Board, Commission or Council. Citizens who believe their complaint has been unanswered or handled improperly by a public safety agency are encouraged to contact the individual or entity that oversees the public safety agency that employs the officer being complained against. 

Upon receipt of a ​​complaint against a public safety officer DPSST will:

  1. Review the complaint.
  2. Forward the complaint and any supporting documentation to the agency that employs the public safety officer.
  3. File and maintain the complaint and any supporting documentation as a public record. 
  4. Initiate a professional standards review upon report of a criminal conviction or separation from employment.

Things DPSST Gene​​​rally Cannot Do

  1. ​Investigate crimes. DPSST does not have the authority to investigate/re-investigate crimes, regardless of the reason. That authority lies with law enforcement entities only. IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A CRIME OR ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 9-1-1.
  2. Criminally charge individuals. Similarly, DPSST does not have any authority to lodge criminal charges against any individuals, regardless of the reason. In Oregon, the authority to charge individuals with crimes lies solely with each county’s District Attorney’s office. Again, IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A CRIME OR ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 9-1-1. 
  3. Terminate a public officer’s employment. The employing public safety agency is solely responsible for the hiring and termination of public safety officers.
  4. Dictate a public safety agency's business operations. Agency operations are the responsibility of the public safety agency. (This includes police agencies determining how and when to make arrests or investigate potential crimes.) 
  5. Initiate personnel investigations. Investigations into allegations of misconduct committed by a public safety officer are the responsibility of the employing public safety agency or business. 
  6. Remove an elected official from office.
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May I submit a complaint anon​​ymously? 

Yes. However, the ability​ to investigate allegations of misconduct may be hampered by not supplying a name and contact information. 

Will my complaint be ke​​​​pt confidential? 

You may ask DPSST to keep your contact information confidential by checking the appropriate box, however, all information provided on the Professional Standards Complaint Form is subject to Oregon’s Public Records Law (ORS 192.410 to 192.505). DPSST may be required to release the information provided on this form if requested. 

What happens i​​f DPSST determines my complaint does not fall under its jurisdiction?  ​

You will be notified that your complaint is falls outside of DPSST's jurisdiction. As a courtesy, if the complaint is against a public safety officer it will still be forwarded to the public safety provider’s employing agency. (Contact information will be redacted if requested.) Non-jurisdictional complaints will also be maintained as a public record in accordance with DPSST's approved records retention schedule. 

Will I be able t​​​o obtain information once the investigation by DPSST is closed? 

Maybe. Records maintained by DPSST are subject to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.410 to 192.505). Some records may remain exempt from release at the conclusion of the investigation. 

Who can I cont​​act with questions? 

​DPSST's main reception can be reached by calling (503) 378-2100 or by e-mailing DPSST.Complaints@state.or.us. IMPORTANT: DPSST staffing is limited. You may be directed to leave a voicemail or submit your questions in writing to facilitate a response. IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A CRIME OR ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 9-1-1.​​​​