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How to make a complaint

You can make a complaint:

• directly to the police force concerned who will be responsible for considering your complaint. Click here for contact details.
• through the IPCC
• through a solicitor or MP on your behalf

If you need legal advice you may also find it helpful to contact an organisation such as your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Whatever the route, all complaints must be forwarded by law to the ‘appropriate authority’ for consideration. In the majority of cases this will be the Professional Standards Department of the police force you are complaining about.

Making your complaint to the IPCC

• download a complaint form
• Use our online form
• contact us by phone, email, post, fax or minicom
• request a form by post

With your consent the IPCC will forward your complaint on your behalf to the appropriate authority for their consideration.

The IPCC only investigates the most serious complaints. The majority of complaints are satisfactorily investigated by the police force concerned.

The IPCC is also responsible for considering appeals made by members of the public about their complaint. It can, where appropriate, direct the police to change its decision or to take further action.

What should I include in my complaint?

If you wish to make your complaint by letter or email, please provide your full contact details and the following information:

• Which police force is your complaint about?
• Where and when did the incident/s happen that led to your complaint?
• Please describe the circumstances that led to your complaint
• Your consent – the IPCC needs this to pass details of your complaint to the police force concerned for consideration

Please include details of:

• Who was involved?
• What was said and done?
• Any damage or injury
• Details of any witnesses

If you would like someone to act on your behalf (perhaps a relative or friend) please provide their details and your written permission separate to your complaint.

This information is available as British sign language in a video on this website and can be seen by clicking here.This information is also available in pdf format in different languages.

For more information see the IPCC information leaflets

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