City of Houston launches Police Transparency Hub

Michael Fortsch/Unsplash

HOUSTON — Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Houston Police Transparency Hub, making it easier for the public to search for information regarding the Houston Police Department and file a complaint against an officer.

The hub includes five dashboards that easily permit community members to access policies, data, and other information related to the use of force, traffic stops, employee diversity, disciplinary actions, and cite and release. The hub will update these data every month.

The online transparency hub allows members of the public to file a complaint by uploading videos and photos or other info concerning the encounter with a police officer. The form also gives users to file complaints anonymously and is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

In April, Mayor Turner declared plans to apply recommendations presented by the Mayor’s Task Force on Policing Reform, including courses of action on how the public can access crucial information about HPD and file complaints.

“Today’s launch is another significant step toward increasing transparency and accountability while building trust between the public and the police department,” said Mayor Turner. “We are moving forward to implement other initiatives, like investing in crisis intervention and a new policy on releasing body-worn camera video. Houston is leading the nation on policing reform, and we are just getting started.”

The newly built Office of Policing Reform and Accountability, headed by Deputy Inspector General Crystal Okorafor, will supervise the investigation of online complaints in addition to complaints from the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB).

An individual may file an online complaint head-on or with community organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, LULAC, Mayor’s LGBTQ Task Force, Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities, and the NAACP. The organizations will transfer the complaints straight to the Office of Policing Reform and Accountability.

The Deputy OIG will accept complaints by mail and in person at the following locations.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:

Office of Policing Reform and Accountability

900 Bagby, 4th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

PHONE: 832.393.6772

EMAIL: COH_Policing_Reform@houstontx.gov

MAILING ADDRESS:

City of Houston

Office of Policing Reform and Accountability

P.O. Box 368

Houston, TX 77001-0368

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