Got A Complaint? Time To Tell Newton Police

NEWTON, MA — If you've had a bad experience with a Newton police officer this year, now is your time to file a complaint, the Newton Police Department announced Tuesday. But not over email or online. At least, not with the police department.

Once a year, in compliance with national accreditation standards, Newton Police have to remind citizens of their right to file citizen complaints. So now, they've announced just how you can submit a complaint, which includes verbally and by taking pen to paper and handing it to, or sending it into the station.

There's no official email to send a complaint to, Newton Police told Patch adding that perhaps that would happen in the future.

In 2016 the Newton Police Department received 21 officer complaints. Of the 21 complaints 10 were closed as exonerated, 6 were closed as unfounded, 4 were closed as sustained and 1 complaint was withdrawn, according to police data.
In 2017 to present the Newton Police department has received 11 officer complaints. Of the 11 complaints 4 were closed as exonerated, 3 were closed as unfounded and 4 were closed as sustained, that's also according to police data as of Wednesday.

No way to complain online?

If you're more of an email or online form type of person there is still the mayor's office, however, which regularly takes complaints through emails. Citizen Assistance Officer Terry Crowley ( available at tcrowley@newtonma.gov) often takes complaints and forwards them to the right places, a representative from the mayor's office told Patch.

The official instructions:

Complaints against police officers can be made in writing and hand delivered to a superior officer at the Newton Police Department, or mailed to Chief MacDonald at 1321 Washington Street Newton, Ma. 02465.

Citizens are also encouraged to commend police personnel verbally, in writing or in person. Compliments and commendations are copied to the personnel files of individual officers.

All members of the Newton community are encouraged to call Newton Police Headquarters at 617 796-
2100 at any time to ask for further information regarding this or any other police-related matter.

Useful Contacts:

Contact info (including emails) for the Mayor's office.

Need something fixed or addressed in the Garden City? Try this website.

Newton Police on Twitter:

Newton Police on Facebook:

Newton Police website.

Newton Police Headquarters at 617 796-2100

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