When a complaint is received by the CRB, it is forwarded to the San Diego Police Department where it is reviewed by the Commanding Officer of Internal Affairs. Internal Affairs returns a copy of the citizen's complaint form to the complainant for review and approval. Once approval is received, the complaint is categorized and assigned for investigation.

• Category I Complaints (force, arrest, discrimination, criminal conduct and slurs) are investigated by Internal Affairs.
  
  
• Category II Complaints (procedure, courtesy, service and conduct) are assigned to a supervisor and investigated in the command where the involved officer(s) works.