Recording your complaint
If you make your complaint against the police to the IPCC, the law requires that it must be forwarded to the appropriate authority for consideration.
In the majority of cases this is the Professional Standards Department of the police force concerned. The Professional Standards Department will decide whether to record your complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
Each police force has a Professional Standards Department which is responsible for complaints and conduct matters made against police officers and police staff within its force.
If the Professional Standards Department decides not to record your complaint, you may be able to appeal against this decision to the IPCC.
How will I be kept informed?
You will usually have the right to be told how your complaint is being dealt with, what action may be taken as a result and how the decision will be made. This is regardless of whether it is the police or the IPCC which is handling your complaint.
The police or the IPCC will also agree with you how often and by which method you would like to be kept informed.
Giving consent
The IPCC needs your permission before it can forward your complaint to the Professional Standards Department. You will be asked to give your consent to do this.
Without your consent the IPCC is unable to pass on the details of your complaint, which means your complaint will not be dealt with.
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