File a Complaint

How to File a Complaint

If you wish to file a complaint against a police officer, a civilian employee, or any aspect of the operation of the Lafayette Police Department, the following steps can be taken:

Option One: Contact by phone or in person any Lafayette Police Department employee and inform them you wish to file a complaint. The address and phone number of the Lafayette Police Department is as follows:

900 EAST UNIVERSITY AVENUE
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
337-291-8600

Option Two: Write a letter stating your complaint and mail it to the Chief of Police at the following address:

LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT
900 EAST UNIVERSITY AVENUE
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA 70502
ATTENTION: CHIEF OF POLICE

Option Three: If the complaint is for a violation of civil rights, contact your local Federal Bureau of Investigation office.

Complaint Process

Phase One: When filing a complaint, you should provide a detailed statement of the events that occurred to include names of witnesses, complete addresses, phone numbers and any evidence to support your accusation.

Phase Two: Once the complaint is received, it will either be investigated at the Divisional level or by the Internal Affairs Section.

Phase Three: Your complaint will be investigated within (60) days unless circumstances require an extension.

Phase Four: When the investigation is completed, an internal review panel may review the investigation and report their findings to the Chief of Police.

Phase Five: The Chief of Police will review the case, render a disposition and send you a letter stating his findings.

Appeal Process

If you do not receive a satisfactory conclusion to your complaint, you have the option of appealing by following the below process:

Step One: You may appeal to the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board by writing a letter requesting a public hearing before the Board. Your request is to be mailed to:

FIRE TRAINING CENTER
C/O LAFAYETTE FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
300 NORTH DUGAS ROAD
LAFAYETTE, LA 70507

Step Two: If you have not received a conclusion through the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board, you may appeal your case to the 15th Judicial District Court system.