How to make a complaint against the Police

Who can make a complaint?

You can make a complaint if you are a member of the public who:

Has been the victim of the misconduct by a person serving with the police. Misconduct could include a police officer or member of police staff being rude to you or using excessive force. It could also include unlawful arrest or an abuse of your rights.
Was present when the alleged misconduct took place, or close enough to see or hear the misconduct, and as a result suffered loss, damage, distress or inconvenience, or was put in danger or at risk.
Is a friend or relative of the victim of the alleged misconduct, distressed by the effects of the incident on the victim.
Has witnessed the alleged misconduct.
Is acting on behalf of any of the above. Please note that if you would like someone to make a complaint on your behalf, you must give them your consent in writing unless they are from a body such as a Citizens Advice Bureau.

How do I make a complaint?

You can make a complaint directly to the police force concerned or through the IPCC or another advice organisation. Whatever the route, all complaints, by law, must be recorded by the police force itself.

If you want to make a complaint you can:

Go into any police station and ask for your complaint to be recorded.
Contact any police force via phone, email or post.
Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Racial Equality Council, Neighbourhood Warden, Youth Offending Team or Probation Service, all of whom can provide information.
Contact a solicitor or your MP and ask them to make a complaint for you.
Nominate a person to act on your behalf (they must have your written consent).
Write to the Chief Constable or Commissioner of the police service concerned, or to the police authority.
Contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission at:

90 High Holborn
London, WC1V 6BH
Tel: 08453 002 002 (local rate)
email: enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk

With your consent, we will pass the details of your complaint to the police force concerned.

What should my complaint say?

As well as your name, address and contact details, the main things that your complaint should cover are:

What happened.
When it happened.
Who was involved.
What was said or done.
Whether there were any witnesses other than yourself and the person serving with the police.
Where the witnesses can be contacted, if known.
Details of any damage or injury which took place.
Please also include your consent for us to pass the details of your complaint to the police force concerned.