Office of The Ombudsman General

"WE FIGHT FOR YOU!"HELP FIGHT CORRUPTION BY SUPPORTING OMBUDSMAN INTERNATIONAL A United States of America Government Oversight Agency
The Police Complaint Center is a division of Ombudsman International, a United States Government Oversight Agency.

One of the primary focuses of our efforts is in the area of police corruption and abuse. We also accept complaints regarding elected officials and civil servants. Due to the increased number of police corruption and abuse complaints received by Ombudsman International, we have created The Police Complaint Center.

The Police Complaint Center of Ombudsman International accepts complaints from any individual regarding Police misconduct. The Police Complaint Center will investigate all valid reports.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Police Complaint Center will forward all findings to the Ombudsman General for direction. The Police Complaint Center works closely with the Internal Affairs Division of Police Departments, District Attorneys and private organizations throughout the nation to ensure that we obtain accurate information concerning any complaint received.

A representative of the Police Complaint Center will contact the complainant to verify pertinent information upon the receipt of any correspondence. Meetings with complainants are not always necessary and each case is individually reviewed by the Police Complaint Center staff.

As an integral part of our organization, The Police Complaint Center was created by the Ombudsman General in order to focus direct attention on this ever increasing phenomenon. All correspondence regarding this matter should be addressed to the attention of The Police Complaint Center. http://www.ombudsmaninc.org/

Did You Know...
that an ombudsman, "OM buhdz MUHN," is a nonpartisan public official who investigates people's complaints about government officials or agencies. Most of an ombudsman's work involves complaints of unjust or harsh treatment of people by police, prosecuting attorneys, or judges, and such matters as housing, taxation, voting, or welfare payments.

After investigating a complaint, the ombudsman may dismiss it or may seek correction of the problem-by persuasion, by publicity, or, occasionally, by recommending prosecution. Ombudsman, an Old Norse word translated to mean "administration-man" or "king's representative" was a concept developed in the Swedish constitution in 1809 as a means to curb governmental abuses and protect citizen's rights.

This later evolved into the investigation of unlawful or unfair acts and complaints about services. The Ombudsman then determines wrongdoing, mediates and/or makes recommendations for changes in practices and policies. Nearly 200 years later, this is the primary function of most Ombudsmen.

The definition of Ombudsman has also undergone a change. It is more readily translated to mean work "On behalf of Mankind". Now, Ombudsmen can be found around the world in government, educational institutions, business and even in industry.The idea of the ombudsman originated in Sweden in 1809. It has spread to Japan and to several European, Commonwealth, and newly independent countries.

Hawaii has a comprehensive ombudsman plan, and other states and some United States cities have modified plans. The idea also has gained popularity in large organizations, including corporations and universities. The ombudsman's growing popularity coincides with the increasing complexities of administration and with people's need for impartial and informal handling of complaints.

Contributor: David R. Berman, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Arizona State University.