Police Complaints

A police complaint can help make the police accountable for something they did wrong.

You can complain about:

• How the police treated you:
  • If they were rude, abusive or unfair.
  • They made you feel intimated and threatened.
• Discrimination:
  • Using racial language and slurs.
  • Racial profiling, targeting individuals based on their race.
  • Discriminating based on gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability.
• Violation of Rights:
  • Stopping someone from accessing to legal counsel or from understanding their rights during an arrest or interrogation.
  • Sharing personal information without consent or justification.
• Excessive use of force:
  • Physically hurt you unnecessarily.
  • Destroyed your property.
    • You may be able to apply for compensation.
  • Made improper use of weapons, such as batons or tasers.
• Abuse of authority:
  • Illegal searches of your property without a warrant.
  • Arresting you without a valid reason.
  • Accepting bribes or engaging in corrupt practices.
• Negligence
  • Not taking proper action during an emergency.
  • Failure to conduct thorough investigations into reported crimes or incidents.

Things to be aware of:

• You can make a complaint about an individual police officer or the whole police department.
• Legal action against the police is rarely successful, and legal costs can be high.
• Don't be put off, as its important the police are made aware of wrongdoings!

Complaints can be made by both victim or a witness.

You can complain if:

• You are the person who was affected by what happened.
• You saw or heard what happened and were affected by it.
• You are making a complaint on behalf of someone who cannot do it themselves (for example, if they are very young, elderly, or have a disability).

You have different ways to make a police complaint:

• On the police website
  • Most police services in the UK have a website with a section for complaints.
  • Look for the "Make a Complaint" or "Contact Us" section.
  • Fill in the online form, giving details about what happened and why you are complaining.

• In person at a police station
  • You can go to your local police station and tell them you want to make a complaint.
  • Ask to speak to the Duty Sergeant or an officer who can help you with complaints.
  • They might ask you to write down the details of your complaint.

• By phone
  • Call the non-emergency police number: 101.
  • Tell the person on the phone you want to make a complaint.
  • They will take down your details and pass the complaint to the right people.
• By post
  • Write down your complaint on paper, explaining:
    • What happened.
    • Who was involved.
    • Why you are unhappy.
  • Send it to the police station or the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (more on this below)

• Through the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
  • The IOPC oversees complaints about the police.
  • If you feel your complaint is serious, you can contact the IOPC directly.
  • You can call their helpline at 0300 020 0096.

Some tips for making a good complaint

• Stay calm
  • Explain clearly what happened.
• Be honest
  • Try to include all details, even if they are difficult.
• Keep records of:
  • Who you spoke to.
  • Dates.
  • Letters or emails.

When you make a complaint, include as much detail as possible, such as:

• A description of what happened.
• Where and when it happened.
• Who was involved
  • Including their names or badge numbers.
• Why you are unhappy.
• Any evidence
  • Including photos, recordings, or witness statements.

What will happen once I've made my complaint?

• The police or the IOPC will look into it.
• They may contact you for more information.
• They will let you know the outcome when they have finished their investigation.

What are the possible outcomes of my complaint?

The police might:

• Apologize if they agree they were wrong.
• Explain what happened and why.
• Take action against the officer(s) if they think they were wrong.
• Make changes to improve their service if needed.

If you are not happy with the result of your complaint, you can ask the IOPC to review it.

There is help available if you need assistance making a police complaint.

For example, you can ask:

• Friends or family.
• Advocacy services
  • Including FFT.
• A solicitor
  • Find solicitors in our directory.
• You can call the IOPC if you have questions or need more information.
  • Their number is 0300 020 0096.