Filing a whistleblower complaint:
The Whistleblower Program receives complaints regarding the misuse of City funds, improper activities by City officers and employees, deficiencies in the quality and delivery of government services, and wasteful and inefficient City government practices. For examples of what qualifies as a whistleblower complaint, please see our list of
definitions.
- Online - To file your complaint online, use the Whistleblower Program complaint form.
- By telephone - To file your complaint over the telephone, call the 311 Customer Service Center at 3-1-1 (TTY: 415-701-2323). If outside the 415 area code, call 415-701-2311. Tell the operator that you wish to file a whistleblower complaint.
- In person -
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 316
San Francisco, CA 94102
- By mail -
Office of the Controller
Attention: Whistleblower Program
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 316
San Francisco, CA 94102
- By email - Complaints can be sent to whistleblower@sfgov.org. Clearly indicate in your email that you wish to file a whistleblower complaint.
You will be issued a tracking number to
check the status of your complaint.
Any comments or concerns you have regarding the Whistleblower Program may be filed with the Citizens' Audit Review Board, which provides advisory input on the program to the Controller's Office, via e-mail to
cgobo.committee@sfgov.org.
311 will also take non-whistleblower complaints and answer questions regarding any other City issue.
Filing a non-whistleblower complaint:
The section outlines the appropriate agencies where non-whistleblower complaints can be made. File your complaint in writing to the appropriate agency indicated below:
- Harassment: http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=40
- Harassment of City employees on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected category is prohibited and unlawful. This policy applies to all employees and agents of the City, including supervisory and non-supervisory employees. Any employee who believes he or she has been harassed in violation of this policy should promptly report the facts of the incident and the individuals involved. To file a complaint of harassment, the employee should contact any of the following:
- The employee's supervisor or other superior;
- The department's EEO officer or Human Resources officer;
- The City's EEO Division in the Department of Human Resources located at 1 So. Van Ness Ave., 4th Flr., San Francisco, CA 94103;
- The Harassment Helpline at (415) 557-4900 or (415) 557-4810 (TTY); or
- The MTA EEO Division at (415) 701-4407 (MTA employees only)
- Discrimination complaints: http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=43
- Discrimination: http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=43
- Discrimination complaints submitted for investigation must be based on a violation of civil rights on account of one or more of the following: Race, Color, Religion, Creed, Sex, National Origin, Ethnicity, Age, Disability or Medical Condition, Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS/HIV) or Aids Related Conditions, Political Affiliation, Sexual Orientation, Ancestry, Marital or Domestic Partner Status, Gender Identity, Parental Status, Other Non-Merit Factors.
- Submit a letter or other document that describes your complaint of discrimination. You may wish to contact the EEO Office in your department or in the Department of Human Resources, or your employee representative, to assist you in submitting a complaint. The number for the Department of Human Resources is 415-557-4800. All complaints must be signed by the person making the complaint and sent to:
Director, Department of Human Resources
Attention: EEO Division
One South Van Ness, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
- Police Misconduct: http://www.sfgov3.org/index.aspx?page=419
- A complaint should be filed when you feel that a member of the San Francisco Police Department has acted improperly in the course of their work. Whether the complaint is related to discourteous treatment, failure to take action, inaccurate report writing, an unjustified arrest, unnecessary force or any other police action that you feel is wrong, a complaint should be filed. To file a complaint against a member of the San Francisco Police Department, visit the Office of Citizens Complaints (OCC). Information regarding the OCC can be found at the following web address:
- The San Francisco Police Department: http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=38
- Ethics Code Violations: http://www.sfethics.org/ethics/2009/05/complaints.html - The Ethics Commission is authorized to investigate and enforce violations of the following local government ethics law, including:
- Financial Conflicts of Interest by City Officers/Employees
- Disclosure of Personal, Professional and Business Relationships
- Gifts
- Incompatible Activities
- Disclosure or Use of Confidential City Information
- Political Activity by City Officers/Employees
- Post Employment Restrictions
- Child Abuse/Neglect: http://www.sfhsa.org/178.htm
- City College of San Francisco Whistleblower Program: http://www.ccsf.edu/Offices/Office_of_the_Internal_Auditor/whistle_blower.htm
- Elder Abuse: http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=52
- Environmental Health Concerns: http://www.sfdph.org/dph/eh/Complaints2EH/default.asp
- Financial Crimes: http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=53
- San Francisco Rent Board: http://www.sfrb.org/index.aspx?page=6
- Parking Citations: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/penf/13441.html#protest
- Building Code Violations: http://www.sfdbi.org/index.aspx?page=266
- Planning Code Violations: http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=2202#filing-a-complaint
