Police complaint route: PSD → IOPC → review

When to use this route

You wish to complain about the conduct of a police officer or police force.

When NOT to use this route

For criminal aspects of police misconduct — those are reported to the police and prosecuted separately. For civil damages (assault, false imprisonment) — issue a County Court / High Court claim.

Prerequisites

• • The conduct happened within the last 12 months (later complaints possible in exceptional cases)

Evidence to gather

• • Date, time, location, officer ID/collar number
• • Witness statements
• • CCTV / body-worn video references
• • Medical records (if injuries)
• • Records of interactions

Route map

1. Stage 1

   PSD complaint

   Submit a written complaint to the force's Professional Standards Department. Identify officers and the conduct.

   Force has 1 month for initial response
2. Stage 2

   Force investigation

   The PSD investigates. Outcome can be: no case to answer, learning, management action, misconduct or gross misconduct hearing.
3. Stage 3

   Review

   If unhappy with the outcome, request a review — usually by the local PCC for non-serious complaints, or the IOPC for serious ones.
4. Stage 4

   IOPC referral

   For serious misconduct or death/serious injury, the matter must be referred to the IOPC, which can investigate independently.
5. Stage 5

   Misconduct hearing

   Officers facing gross misconduct allegations attend a public hearing. Outcomes include dismissal, final written warning, or no further action.

Final remedies

• • Apology / learning outcome
• • Officer disciplinary sanction (warning to dismissal)
• • Service improvement at force level
• • Referral to CPS for criminal prosecution (serious cases)

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a complaint about a police officer's conduct?

You should submit a written complaint to the police force's Professional Standards Department. The complaint must identify the officers involved and describe the conduct. It is helpful to include details such as the date, time, location, officer ID or collar number, witness statements, CCTV references, and any medical records if injuries occurred.

How long does the police force have to respond to my complaint?

The police force has one month to provide an initial response to your complaint. Following this, the Professional Standards Department will investigate the matter. The outcome of this investigation can range from no case to answer or learning outcomes to management action, or a misconduct or gross misconduct hearing.

What can I do if I disagree with the result of my police complaint?

If you are unhappy with the outcome of the initial investigation, you can request a review. For non-serious complaints, this review is usually conducted by the local Police and Crime Commissioner. For serious complaints, the review is handled by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

When is a police complaint referred to the IOPC?

Matters involving serious misconduct, or cases resulting in death or serious injury, must be referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has the authority to investigate these serious matters independently of the police force.

What happens at a gross misconduct hearing?

Officers facing allegations of gross misconduct attend a public hearing. The possible outcomes of this hearing include dismissal, a final written warning, or no further action. Other potential outcomes from the complaint process include an apology, learning outcomes, service improvements, or referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for criminal prosecution in serious cases.