MCSO Complaint Process Program

An Order issued by the United States District Court contains requirements to ensure Maricopa County community members know how to file complaints about the conduct of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office employees.

Complaints may be made directly to the ACLU of Arizona on this website.

You can submit complaints to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) verbally by telephone, in writing, in person, by mail, or online.

1. By phone: (602) 876-5429; free 24-hour hotline at (844) 887 4483; text (602) 876-1000; or fax (602) 876-0070
2. In person at any MCSO facility
3. By mail to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Professional Standards Bureau, 550 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
4. Online at https://www.mcso.org/Contact.

Complaints can also be submitted to the Court-appointed Monitoring Team and may be submitted telephone, in writing, by mail, or online.

1. By phone: (602) 812-7513
2. By mail: Post Office Box 11721, Chandler, AZ 85248-0007
3. Online: monitormcso@gmail.com

Complaints can be filed anonymously, by someone acting on the complainant’s behalf, and complaints do not have to be signed.

All public complaints submitted to MCSO are forwarded to the MCSO Professional Standards Bureau for tracking and investigation. You will be notified in writing by MCSO once the investigation is complete. This notification will include the findings of the investigation and any discipline imposed.

a. Within seven days of receiving the complaint, the Professional Standards Bureau will send non-anonymous complainants a written notice of receipt, including the tracking number assigned to the complaint and the name of the investigator assigned. The notice will inform the complainant how he or she may contact the Professional Standards Bureau to inquire about the status of the complaint.

b. All known complainant(s) will be notified in writing once the investigation is complete. This notification will include the following:

1. Whether the actions of the employee were appropriate under the circumstances or were within the guidelines of policy
2. When the actions of an employee are found to be in violation of policy and that the matter will be addressed by MCSO internally. Should we not add the fact that they can file a complain through ACLU?
3. Any imposed discipline on the employees permitted by law

The Second Supplemental Permanent Injunction/Judgement Order issued by the United States District Court for the District of Arizona required the following actions:

a. The Maricopa County Sheriff Office (MCSO) must accept all civilian complaints, whether submitted verbally or in writing, in person , by phone, by mail, or online; by a complainant, someone acting on the complainant’s behalf, or anonymously; and with or without a signature from the complainant. MCSO will document all complaints in writing.

b. The MCSO must post and maintain permanent placards in English and Spanish clearly visible to members of the public at all hours at MCSO headquarters, and all District stations. The placards will describe the civilian complaint process and include relevant contact information.

c. All MCSO deputies must carry complaint forms in their patrol vehicles to provide to members of the public expressing a desire to file a complaint.

d. The MCSO professional Standards Bureau facility must be easily accessible to members of the public.

e. MCSO complaint forms must be widely available throughout Maricopa County

f. MCSO has established a free, 24-hour hotline for members of the public to make complaints. The hotline number, 844 887 4483, is in English and Spanish.

g. MCSO complaint forms must be in English and Spanish. The MCSO must make reasonable efforts to ensure complainants who speak other languages (including sign language) can file complaints in their preferred language. The fact that a complainant does not read, speak or write English is not grounds to decline to accept or investigate a complaint.

h. The Professional Standards Bureau must produce a semi-annual public report on misconduct investigations.

i. MCSO must make detailed summaries of completed internal affairs investigations readily available to the public to the full extent permitted under state law.

j. The MCSO Bureau of Internal Oversight must produce a semi-annual public audit report regarding misconduct investigations.