Application opens on January 19th at 5pm. Apply Now.
City of Detroit Residents
You are invited the attend the City of Detroit Ombudsman's First Cyber Town Hall
Application opens on January 19th at 5pm. Apply Now.
The Ombudsman is a liaison between the City of Detroit and all persons who have a complaint or inquiry into the operations of a City department or conduct of a City employee. The City of Detroit Ombudsman takes all inquiries and complaints seriously. Once received, inquiries and complaints will be promptly reviewed and processed.
The Office of the Ombudsman works as an independent oversight agency to provide individuals with a confidential avenue to address complaints. The Office proposes policy and procedural changes when systemic issues are identified.
The City of Detroit Office of the Ombudsman, first charted more than 40 years ago, is designed to provide protection for the individual citizen, business person or developer, where there is a lack of follow up or city services rendered.
As an investigative agency, the Ombudsman Office responsibilities include taking complaints and advocating for the provision of public services.
What the Office of the Ombudsman does:
City of Detroit Residents
You are invited the attend the City of Detroit Ombudsman's First Cyber Town Hall
Helpful Hints
When you contact the Office of the Ombudsman, it would be beneficial to the complainant if consider the following:
A listing of City departments and contact information
You may want to contact the department directly, but you are always welcome to lodge your complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman. Always get the name of the person with whom you spoke
Letter Writing and e-mails
You may send a letter or an e-mail to the Office of the Ombudsman.
2 Woodward Avenue, Room 114, Detroit, MI 48226-3413
Contact us
There are several ways to reach the Office of the Ombudsman and file your complaint:
Telephone: (313) 224-6000
Fax: (313) 224-1911
[email protected]
U.S. mail and Walk-ins:
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave, Room 114,
Detroit, MI 48226-3413
Feel free to contact us or stop by the office - please note that street parking is limited and we are open during lunch.
The 2012 Charter of the City of Detroit authorizes this office to investigate allegations of fraud, abuse, waste, and corruption involving City of Detroit employees and contractors who do business with the City. We do not have jurisdiction over private citizens who commit criminal acts.
The Office of Inspector General does not handle the following:
Here is a list of helpful contacts for concerns we do not handle
Please see below:
Property Inspections Contact City of Detroit Building and Safety Department (BSEED)at 313-224-2733
Vacant Lot purchasing vacant lot information contact Detroit Land Bank at 313-818-9041.
Land-Lords & Tenants issues contact COD Building & Safety Dept. Land-Lord/Tenants division at 313-224-3949
Identity Theft, Domestic Violence, Allegations of Illegal and other related crimes. Please contact Detroit Police Department Crime Reporting Unit at 313-267-4600.
Slip & Falls on City of Detroit property contact the COD Law Department at 313-224-4550.
Mail Fraud issues not involving City of Detroit Departments, Agencies, and Employees contact the United States Post Office at 1-888-767-6424.
Illegal Dumping contact COD Ombudsman Department at 224-6000.
House property tax issues contact Wayne County Treasury at 313-224-5990.
Contact us if you have a complaint about city services:
Abandoned vehicles | Rodent Control |
Blight | Snow Removal |
Catch Basins/Sewers | Trash pickup - Courville Container/ Bulk Pick-Up Items |
Fallen Tree-Blocking the Easement of the Sidewalk or Streets | Tree Removal/Trimming on Berm Area (ONLY) |
Illegal dumping | Vacant and dangerous buildings |
Income Tax | Water Main Breaks |
Lighting Outages | Water Systems |
Property Assessment | Weed cutting |
Property Tax |
You may contact the Office of the Ombudsman any time that you feel you have been treated unfairly by the action of a City department. However, you are encouraged to first attempt to resolve the problem by first contacting the department. Experience has shown that City departments are often genuinely concerned with handling citizen complaints regarding City services. If the response you receive is still inadequate, you may contact the Office of the Ombudsman at:
Yes. Should a person making a complaint desire to remain anonymous, the OIG will comply with that wish and keep that person’s identity confidential.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is staffed by experienced and trained attorneys, investigators, and auditors who conduct investigations on behalf of the Inspector General.
Yes. Subject to applicable state law, all investigative files of the Office of Inspector General are confidential and shall not be divulged to any person or agency, except to the United States Attorney, the Michigan Attorney General or Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, or other Charter listed entities.
No. Any individual or business that has a problem or question about a city of Detroit service, please contact us at
No. A property owner is responsible to maintain blight or illegal dumping within 10 feet of the property owners home. In addition the property owner is also responsible to maintain the area from the middle of the street to the middle of the alley of his or her home.
Ombudsman Budget Analysis Report for 2018 - 2019
2010 Ombudsman Budget Recommendations
Information about debarment from the Operating with the City of Detroit
Ombudsman Budget Analysis Report for 2012 - 2013
Ombudsman Budget Analysis Report for 2011
Ombudsman Budget Analysis Report for 2009 - 2010