The Civil Rights Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring accountability, transparency, and public trust in the criminal justice system. Our division is responsible for conducting independent investigations into use of force complaints, including all officer-involved shootings, and all in-custody deaths occurring in Harris County. Our mission is clear: to follow the facts wherever they lead, and to evaluate each case without bias, regardless of a person’s profession or position. When someone has possibly broken the law—whether a private citizen or a public servant—our duty is to ensure that the law is applied equally and fairly.
To fulfill this mission, our prosecutors and investigators conduct thorough, independent investigations that include, but is not limited to, visiting incident scenes, interviewing witnesses, subpoenaing pertinent records, and reviewing body-worn camera footage. In all Officer-involved shootings, and in any investigation in which the evidence warrants it, we present our findings to a Harris County Grand Jury to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.
While certain legal limitations may prevent the full public release of information, we strive to be as transparent as the law allows. At its core, our work is about maintaining public trust by demanding integrity, enforcing accountability, and applying the law without fear or favor.
If you have a complaint against a specific law enforcement agency or employee, please visit the “Filing Complaint Regarding Law Enforcement” section of our resources page here.