Compliments and Complaints

The Bel Air Police Department appreciates your positive and negative feedback on the performances of our employees.  The electronic Citizen's Compliment/Complaint Form can be used for both purposes. Rest assured that all submissions will be properly vetted and fully investigated.  A case number will be generated for electronic submissions that will enable complainants to follow the status of each submission.    

Our Complaint Policy states: "The Bel Air Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service provided by the Department and the conduct of its members. The Department will accept and address all complaints of misconduct in accordance with this policy and applicable federal, state and local laws; municipal and county rules; and the requirements of any collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding. It is also the policy of this department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without concern for reprisal or retaliation....

Personnel complaints include any allegation of misconduct or improper job performance that, if true, would constitute a violation of department policy, or of federal, state or local law, policy or rule. Personnel complaints may be generated internally or by the public. Inquiries about conduct or performance that, if true, would not violate department policy, federal, state or local law, policy or rule may be handled informally by a supervisor and shall not be considered a personnel complaint. Such inquiries generally include clarification regarding policy, procedures or the response to specific incidents by the Department....

All complaints will be courteously accepted by any department member and promptly given to the appropriate supervisor. Although written complaints are preferred, a complaint may also be filed orally, either in person or by telephone. Such complaints will be directed to the Duty Officer. If the Duty Officer is not immediately available to take an oral complaint, the receiving member shall obtain contact information sufficient for the Duty Officer to contact the complainant. The Duty Officer, upon contact with the complainant, shall complete and submit a complaint form as appropriate....

Complainants should receive an initial response to their complaint within 72 hours." 

Compliments and complaints regarding our employees may be submitted online through the online portal,  or you may contact the Bel Air Police Department directly at 410-638-4500 or in-person at 39 North Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.  Please understand that our dispatch center continues to remain open 24 hours a day during extensive renovations. 

Remember, for online submissions to provide as much detail as possible in each section of the electronic submission form.