NJ Police Depts. Bungled Complaint Requests, ACLU Alleges

A study by New Jersey's chapter of the ACLU has found widespread problems in the way police agencies respond to citizens seeking information on how to file complaints against police.

As part of the study, volunteers called 497 police agencies statewide.

The American Civil Liberties Union says they all said they were seeking information on whether they could file a complaint by phone, as a juvenile without a parent present or as a third-party.

They also asked if immigration officials would be contacted if an illegal immigrant wanted to bring a complaint.

In a report released Tuesday, the ACLU says more than half the departments provided at least one wrong answer.

The ACLU says the inaccurate and sometimes hostile responses they encountered will discourage citizens with grievances from filing complaints.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.