Police Review & Advisory Board
Source: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/policereviewandadvisoryboard
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Police Review & Advisory Board
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File a complaint
Complaints should be filed within 60 days. Contact prab@cambridgema.gov if you need assistance.
Learn More
Police Review & Advisory Board Informational Brochure
Includes PRAB Role and Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More
Police Review and Advisory Board Ordinance
Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.74
Learn More
Latest Announcement - New Staff & Form
National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement
PRAB Meeting Minutes
PRAB Complaint Form in Other Languages (PDF)
PRAB Rules and Regulations
PRAB Archives
The Police Review & Advisory Board (PRAB) provides a prompt, impartial and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department. The Police Review & Advisory Board was established by Cambridge City Ordinance in 1984 to:
Provide for citizen participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures;
Provide a prompt, impartial and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department; and
Develop programs and strategies to promote positive police/community relations and to provide opportunities for expanded discussions, improved understanding, and innovative ways of resolving differences.
PRAB Meetings
The PRAB Board generally meets virtually on the last Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. via the Zoom platform. Agendas are generally published on the Monday before the meeting.
View past meeting minutes here
or through the Resource link above.
File an Online Complaint Here
Contacts
PHONE:
617-349-6155
Email Us
689 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tips and FAQs
How do I make a complaint?
Complaints can be filed with the staff of the Police Review & Advisory Board
online
. To file in person, by email to
prab@cambridgema.gov
, by mail, or by telephone (617.349.6155), you can download and complete a
complaint form
(PDF) describing any relevant details of your specific complaint.
Complaints should be filed within 60 days of an incident. Staff is happy to assist with this process.
Translated complaint forms
are available.
What type of complaints can be filed?
Excessive use of force
Use of discourteous or demeaning language
Improper stop, arrest, search and seizure
Inadequate investigation or improper police reports
Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, sex, religion, disability, or national origin or any other criteria defined in federal and state guidelines.
Harassment
Improper police procedures
Improper traffic citation or towing of a car by the police
What happens after a complaint is made?
Once a complaint is filed, Board staff will work with the Professional Standards Unit of the Cambridge Police Department to investigate all complaints. An investigation includes interviews with both the complainant and involved police officer(s), as well as any other relevant individuals, and reviewing police reports, witness statements, and other pertinent information. The staff submits its investigative report to the Board, which reviews the report, and may accept the report or order additional investigation into the complaint. After the investigation process is completed, the Board will deliberate and make a determination whether or not there was a violation of policy or procedures, or whether it is inconclusive.
Depending on the finding, any party to the complaint may request that the Board order a hearing, which is done at the discretion of the Board based on the evidence the Board has received. If a hearing is held, the Board will render a final decision. In addition, even if the Board finds that there was no violation of policy or procedures, it may make recommendations to the City Manager and the Police Commissioner about changes that can be made to avoid similar situations in the future
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint?
No, an attorney is not necessary.
Why was the Police Review and Advisory Board created?
The Police Review & Advisory Board was established by Cambridge City Ordinance in 1984 to:
Provide for citizen participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures;
Provide a prompt, impartial and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department; and
Develop programs and strategies to promote positive police/community relations and to provide opportunities for expanded discussions, improved understanding, and innovative ways of resolving differences.
Who are the members of the Board?
The Police Review & Advisory Board consists of five civilian residents of Cambridge who are representative of the racial composition, social composition, and economic composition of the city.
View the current membership of the Police Review & Advisory Board on the Open Meeting Portal.
Contact Us
How can we help?
Please provide as much detail below as possible so City staff can respond to your inquiry:
Description:
*
Name:
Email:
As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.
Read our complete privacy statement
Service Requests
Enter a service request via SeeClickFix
for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here
Close
Skip to Navigation
Skip to Main Content
Skip to Footer
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
File a complaint
Complaints should be filed within 60 days. Contact prab@cambridgema.gov if you need assistance.
Learn More
Police Review & Advisory Board Informational Brochure
Includes PRAB Role and Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More
Police Review and Advisory Board Ordinance
Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.74
Learn More
Latest Announcement - New Staff & Form
National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement
PRAB Meeting Minutes
PRAB Complaint Form in Other Languages (PDF)
PRAB Rules and Regulations
PRAB Archives
The Police Review & Advisory Board (PRAB) provides a prompt, impartial and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department. The Police Review & Advisory Board was established by Cambridge City Ordinance in 1984 to:
Provide for citizen participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures;
Provide a prompt, impartial and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department; and
Develop programs and strategies to promote positive police/community relations and to provide opportunities for expanded discussions, improved understanding, and innovative ways of resolving differences.
PRAB Meetings
The PRAB Board generally meets virtually on the last Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. via the Zoom platform. Agendas are generally published on the Monday before the meeting.
View past meeting minutes here
or through the Resource link above.
File an Online Complaint Here
Contacts
PHONE:
617-349-6155
Email Us
689 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tips and FAQs
How do I make a complaint?
Complaints can be filed with the staff of the Police Review & Advisory Board
online
. To file in person, by email to
prab@cambridgema.gov
, by mail, or by telephone (617.349.6155), you can download and complete a
complaint form
(PDF) describing any relevant details of your specific complaint.
Complaints should be filed within 60 days of an incident. Staff is happy to assist with this process.
Translated complaint forms
are available.
What type of complaints can be filed?
Excessive use of force
Use of discourteous or demeaning language
Improper stop, arrest, search and seizure
Inadequate investigation or improper police reports
Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, sex, religion, disability, or national origin or any other criteria defined in federal and state guidelines.
Harassment
Improper police procedures
Improper traffic citation or towing of a car by the police
What happens after a complaint is made?
Once a complaint is filed, Board staff will work with the Professional Standards Unit of the Cambridge Police Department to investigate all complaints. An investigation includes interviews with both the complainant and involved police officer(s), as well as any other relevant individuals, and reviewing police reports, witness statements, and other pertinent information. The staff submits its investigative report to the Board, which reviews the report, and may accept the report or order additional investigation into the complaint. After the investigation process is completed, the Board will deliberate and make a determination whether or not there was a violation of policy or procedures, or whether it is inconclusive.
Depending on the finding, any party to the complaint may request that the Board order a hearing, which is done at the discretion of the Board based on the evidence the Board has received. If a hearing is held, the Board will render a final decision. In addition, even if the Board finds that there was no violation of policy or procedures, it may make recommendations to the City Manager and the Police Commissioner about changes that can be made to avoid similar situations in the future
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint?
No, an attorney is not necessary.
Why was the Police Review and Advisory Board created?
The Police Review & Advisory Board was established by Cambridge City Ordinance in 1984 to:
Provide for citizen participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures;
Provide a prompt, impartial and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department; and
Develop programs and strategies to promote positive police/community relations and to provide opportunities for expanded discussions, improved understanding, and innovative ways of resolving differences.
Who are the members of the Board?
The Police Review & Advisory Board consists of five civilian residents of Cambridge who are representative of the racial composition, social composition, and economic composition of the city.
View the current membership of the Police Review & Advisory Board on the Open Meeting Portal.
Contact Us
How can we help?
Please provide as much detail below as possible so City staff can respond to your inquiry:
Description:
*
Name:
Email:
As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.
Read our complete privacy statement
Service Requests
Enter a service request via SeeClickFix
for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here
Close