IPCC
In April 2004 a new police complaints system was introduced in England
and Wales. The new system is designed to raise standards, cut delays,
increase public confidence and transform the way police forces handle
complaints from the public. The new complaints system will ensure that
complaints against the police are handled in an open, efficient, and
fair way. The system is overseen by a new body, the Independent Police
Complaints Commission (IPCC) which is independent of the police and
government.
The IPCC
has the power to conduct investigations itself, or to manage or supervise
police investigations into complaints or allegations of misconduct.
The IPCC also has a wider responsibility to monitor and work to improve
the way that complaints are handled by local police forces – this
is their ‘guardianship’ role.
Members of
the public, including witnesses who make complaints, have new rights,
including the right to be kept fully informed of the progress of the
investigation into their complaint and a right of appeal to the IPCC
in certain circumstances.
Complaints
about any person serving with the police, including Chief Constables,
police officers, Special Constables and staff who are not police officers,
will be dealt with under the new system. Complaints about the overall
policing of a force are dealt with under a separate system and are not
overseen by the IPCC.
Can i 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 an 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 an alleged misconduct, distressed
by the effects of the incident on the victim.
-
Has
witnessed an 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.
How do I make a complaint ?
You can make a complaint directly to the police force concerned or through
the IPCC or an 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)
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
Can
I appeal if I am not happy with the outcome of my complaint ?
You may have the right to appeal to the IPCC if:
-
Your
complaint has not been recorded by the police.
-
The
police have not made a decision whether or not to record your complaint.
-
The
police have not informed you of their decision not to record your
complaint.
-
You
believe that the proper procedures have not been carried out under
local resolution.
-
You
have reasons to disagree with the action the police propose to take
as a result of the investigation.
-
You
have not been provided with adequate information about the findings
of the investigation or the actions the police propose to take (or
not to take) in a local or supervised investigation.
-
You
are not satisfied with the outcome of a police investigation into
your complaint (whether or not it was supervised by the IPCC).
-
The
IPCC is independent of the police and government and their decisions
cannot be overruled except by a court of law.
IPCC
Complaint Form
Independent
Police Complaints Commission
Police
Complaints in Scotland
Police
Complaints in Northern Ireland
