Office of Policing Reform and Accountability
The City of Houston’s Office of Policing Reform and Accountability (OPRA), established on April 28, 2021, under Executive Order 1-5 (.pdf), aims to rebuild community trust by promoting police accountability through independent, transparent, and effective oversight.
Mission
The mission of the OPRA is to improve accountability and transparency between the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the community by implementing reforms, reviewing complaint investigations, and fostering open dialogue between the department and the community it polices. Together with HPD’s Internal Affairs Division (IAD), the office aims to ensure that policing in Houston is fair, equitable, and aligned with community needs.
Vision
OPRA’s vision is to safeguard a culture of accountability within HPD through ensuring the actions of HPD employees comply with law and policy. This is further accomplished by overseeing the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB), who thoroughly and objectively review internal investigations, recommend improvements to policy and training, and engage in collaborative initiatives that promote systemic advancements.
Values
Transparency: Provide accessible and comprehensive data on police actions, policies, and diversity to the public.
Accountability: Coordinate review of internal affairs investigations and ensure disciplinary actions are fair and consistent.
Community Engagement: Partner with residents and stakeholders to shape policing strategies and promote public safety.
Equity: Strive for fairness and inclusivity in all aspects of policing and oversight.
Proactive Oversight: Continuously evolving oversight systems to meet community needs and enhance trust.
Collaboration: Work closely with the IPOB, local leaders, and organizations to achieve shared goals.
OPRA ANNUAL REPORT
The Office of Policing Reform and Accountability (OPRA) Annual Report provides a comprehensive review of oversight efforts, policy recommendations, and operational improvements to enhance transparency and accountability in policing.
As outlined in Executive Order EO 1-5 Revised, the report includes the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB) Annual Audit, which assesses IPOB’s effectiveness in reviewing internal investigations, ensuring policy compliance, and fostering public trust in law enforcement.
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT OR COMPLIMENT
There are several ways you can submit a complaint about an unsatisfactory interaction you had with an officer of the Houston Police Department:
- Through an online form by visiting the Houston Police Transparency Hub website;
- Emailing our office at COH_Policing_Reform@houstontx.gov ; or
- Calling our office at (832) 393-6772 (OPRA)
When you complete the online form and include your contact information, our staff will follow up with you within three (3) - four (4) business days. In order to launch a formal investigation, state law requires you to submit notarized affidavit. We are happy to help you through that process.
State law limits disciplinary action at 180 days after the incident, so we encourage you to complete the complaint process within that timeline.
You may submit a compliment by emailing our office at COH_Policing_Reform@houstontx.gov.
Community Input Survey on Policing in Houston
Your input is essential to making Houston a safer place for everyone. We are conducting a survey to gather feedback on your experiences and opinions about the Houston Police Department. By sharing your thoughts, you can help shape future policing strategies and improve the relationship between law enforcement and our community.
Click the image above to take the survey
HOUSTON POLICE TRANSPARENCY HUB
This Police Transparency Hub website provides the public with data, resources and information about the Houston Police Department including, but not limited to:
Crime by Council District: The Crime by Council District dashboard provides a geographic breakdown of criminal offenses across Houston’s city council districts. This tool allows users to view total offense counts by district and compare areas based on crime volume. It helps identify neighborhood-level trends and supports data-driven strategies for improving public safety. The data is refreshed in the first week of every month to ensure timely and accurate reporting as part of the City’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Traffic Stops Data: Data about traffic stops allow you to look at the reasons behind a traffic stop, the reasons behind a search, and the demographics of the person being stopped. Article 2.131 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires police departments to submit an annual report of traffic stops for transparency about racial profiling.
Use of Force Data: The Use of Force dashboard visualizes data about HPD encounters and outcomes where force was required. It allows you to filter based on the reason for the encounter, the outcome of the encounter, and the race/ethnicity of the subject and officer.
Disciplinary Actions Data: The HPD Disciplinary Actions dashboard allows you to view a history of disciplinary actions, the reasons for the discipline, and the outcomes of the action. The dashboard provides this data down to the individual officer, as well as how long they have been on HPD's force at the time of discipline.
HPD Diversity Data: The HPD Diversity dashboard shows the diversity of the department by rank, as well as the demographics of the City of Houston at large. You can filter these statistics by rank, as well as by time with the department.
A Message from Deputy Inspector General Nowak
Greetings Houstonians,
As I continue in my role with the Office of Policing Reform and Accountability (OPRA), I want to express my appreciation for the progress this office has made since its founding in April 2021. Together with the Houston Police Department and our community partners, we’ve advanced efforts in transparency, accountability, and reform—milestones that include launching the Police Transparency Hub, instituting 30-day release of body-worn camera footage, and implementing crisis intervention programs.
Still, the work is far from over.
To help guide our next steps, my office launched a citywide survey to better understand public sentiment on policing. Between September and May, nearly 200 residents shared their perspectives. The results highlight concerns around safety, trust, officer conduct, and community engagement. These findings are a clear call to action.
Looking ahead, OPRA will focus on supporting improvements in areas that matter most to the community: respectful and equitable interactions, better crime prevention, more visible presence, and a deeper understanding of neighborhood needs. We will continue working closely with HPD and other stakeholders to ensure these insights inform policy, training, and outreach efforts.
This office remains committed to being both proactive and responsive. I welcome continued dialogue with residents, advocates, and city leadership as we strive toward a policing model rooted in trust, fairness, and community partnership.
Sincerely,
Christina Nowak