Process and eligibility

Mediation is an option for addressing complaints about lack of service or verbal abuse.

To be eligible, the officer who is the subject of the complaint must not have received a lack of service or verbal abuse complaint in the past two years. If this isn’t the case, the complaint will be addressed through the standard complaint resolution process.

Participation is always voluntary. Both participants must be willing to listen and try to understand the other side.

1

File a complaint about verbal abuse or lack of service against a Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officer.

You can file a complaint through CPOC or the Philadelphia Police Department.

2

The mediation program coordinator will reach out to the complainant to discuss the program.

If both parties consent to participate in a mediation session, the program coordinator will schedule a session.

If either party declines to participate, the complaint will be resolved through the standard complaint process and investigated by PPD Internal Affairs.

3

If both parties agree to mediation, the program coordinator will schedule a session.

If either party declines, the complaint will be resolved through the standard process.

4

A trained mediator will lead the session.

Mediation sessions last about one to two hours. They can be held in person, following COVID-19 protocols, or virtually on Zoom.

The mediator will ensure that the conversation is focused, productive, and free of offensive or abusive language. Both parties are expected to take part in good faith. No one is required to apologize or come to an agreement.

5

At the end of the session, both parties sign a resolution statement.

The statement will say that the mediation was the final resolution of the complaint. There will be no further investigation or discipline.