F. Complaints

The Cleveland CBA requires that any civilian complaint be signed by the complainant. The DOJ noted this provision seemed to be specifically aimed at discouraging complaints. If one fears police violence or harassment--a potentially legitimate fear, given the Cleveland Police Department's well-documented brutality a complaint opens the complainant and their loved ones up to the possibility of reprisal. The Chicago FOP's contract forbids anonymous complaints unless they allege a criminal offense on the part of the officer: less strict but still without any valid purpose other than discouraging complaints. Further, Chicago cops under investigation must be given the names of complainants against them. The Illinois LEOBOR requires a sworn affidavit for any complaint against police officers, raising the same concern. Maryland's LEOBOR only requires names to be attached to civilian complaints of brutality. But victims of police brutality need anonymity the most because they would have a real fear of reprisals from police. This provision is not some feint towards accountability--it has the same aim of discouraging complaints as Cleveland's.