Your Rights When Complaining About the Police
Anyone dissatisfied with police conduct in England and Wales can complain — either directly to the force or through the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Most complaints are handled by each force's professional standards department, while the IOPC oversees the whole system and independently investigates the most serious and sensitive matters. If you are unhappy with the outcome, you may have a right to a review, and unlawful decision-making can be challenged by judicial review.
Last updated: 2026-07-30
Your Rights
The Right to Complain — With No Time Limit
You can complain about the conduct of police officers or staff, and there is no time limit for doing so — although if the incident happened more than 12 months ago you should explain the delay. By law, the force must be able to investigate a complaint and have the opportunity to explain, apologise or put things right itself.
Formal Recording of Your Complaint
You can ask for your complaint to be formally recorded. Recording gives the complaint formal status under the Police Reform Act 2002, after which it must be dealt with according to formal rules and guidance — and certain complaints must be recorded in any event.
Reasonable and Proportionate Handling
Police forces must handle complaints in a reasonable and proportionate way. The person dealing with your complaint should contact you (usually within three weeks) and ask what you want to happen — for example an apology, a problem put right, or the police held responsible or made to learn from what went wrong.
Independent Oversight — and IOPC Investigation of the Most Serious Cases
The IOPC — the statutory body that replaced the Independent Police Complaints Commission — oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales and independently investigates the most serious and sensitive matters, such as deaths and serious injuries, which could affect public confidence in the police.
A Review If You Are Unhappy With the Outcome
You have 28 days after the outcome of your complaint to apply for a review or appeal. The outcome letter must tell you whether you have a right of review and which body will handle it — the Police and Crime Commissioner, the force itself or the IOPC, depending on how the complaint was dealt with.
Misconduct Is Separate From Crime — Both Can Follow
A complaint can lead to a finding that an officer has a case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct, and a review body can in exceptional circumstances recommend disciplinary proceedings, independently re-investigate, or arrange a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider criminal charges. The complaints system itself cannot reopen or change the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Judicial Review as a Backstop
If the force, PCC or IOPC deals with your complaint unlawfully, you can ask a judge to review the lawfulness of the decision or action. Judicial review challenges the way a decision has been made rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached.
Common Myths
The police just investigate themselves, so complaining is pointless.
The system is overseen by the independent IOPC, forces must handle complaints reasonably and proportionately and must be able to explain, apologise or put things right, and reviews can recommend disciplinary proceedings or a referral to the CPS. Complaint data also feeds published statistics and learning.
The IOPC personally investigates every complaint.
Most complaints are handled by the relevant police force's professional standards department. The IOPC only independently investigates the most serious and sensitive matters, such as deaths and serious injuries.
A successful complaint gets you compensation or overturns your conviction.
The IOPC is explicit that it cannot direct an organisation to provide compensation, and cannot open a criminal investigation or change the outcome of previous criminal proceedings. Compensation needs a separate civil claim; convictions are challenged through the courts.
You must complain straight away or you lose the right.
There is no time limit for making a complaint — but for incidents more than 12 months old you should explain the delay, and an explanation does not guarantee the complaint will be investigated.
If your review is rejected, that's the absolute end of the road.
Unlawful decision-making by a public body — including how a complaint or review was handled — can be challenged by judicial review, where a judge reviews the lawfulness of the decision or action. Get legal advice quickly, as strict time limits apply.
What To Do
Complain to the Force or Via the IOPC
Submit your complaint to the force's professional standards department directly, or use the IOPC's online complaint form, which is sent to the force or organisation concerned.
Say What You Want to Happen
The complaint handler should ask what outcome you want — an apology, a problem put right, accountability or organisational learning. Being specific shapes how the complaint is resolved.
Ask for Formal Recording
Formally recorded complaints have status under the Police Reform Act 2002 and must be dealt with under formal rules and guidance.
Keep the Outcome Letter
It must tell you whether you have a right of review or appeal and which body will handle it — the PCC, the force or the IOPC.
Apply for a Review Within 28 Days
Applications must be made within 28 calendar days starting the day after the date on your outcome letter — late applications are only considered in exceptional circumstances.
Take Advice on Judicial Review or a Civil Claim
The complaints system cannot award compensation. For damages, consider a civil claim; for unlawful handling of your complaint or review, ask a solicitor about judicial review promptly.
Key Legislation
- Police Reform Act 2002
- Policing and Crime Act 2017 (reforms to the complaints and review system)
Useful Contacts
Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
Oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales; guidance, complaint forms and reviews.
Tel: 0300 020 0096
WebsiteYour Force's Professional Standards Department
Every police force has a department that makes sure complaints are dealt with appropriately — most complaints are handled there. Contact details are on your force's website.
Citizens Advice
Free, confidential advice on your options, including complaints and civil claims against the police.
Tel: 0800 144 8848
Website