Police Complaint Letter (to PSD)
Formal complaint to a police force's Professional Standards Department (PSD), with onward escalation to the IOPC.
This template was not drafted by a solicitor.
It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.
When to use this template
When you have a complaint about the conduct of a police officer or police force in England and Wales. PSDs handle most complaints; the IOPC handles the most serious.
When NOT to use this template
If you wish to claim damages for assault or false imprisonment — those are civil claims (consider also actions against the police via the County or High Court); if your complaint is about a non-Home Office police force (separate processes).
Legal Basis
Police Reform Act 2002; Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020.
Before you send
- Failing to identify the officer/s involved (collar number, name, station, date and time)
- Not specifying the outcome you want — apology, training, disciplinary referral, IOPC referral
- Waiting more than 12 months from the incident — earlier is better, though late complaints can sometimes be considered
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Failing to identify the officer/s involved (collar number, name, station, date and time)
- ✗Not specifying the outcome you want — apology, training, disciplinary referral, IOPC referral
- ✗Waiting more than 12 months from the incident — earlier is better, though late complaints can sometimes be considered
Build Your Letter
Fill in your details
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Letter preview
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Telephone] [Email] Professional Standards Department [POLICE FORCE NAME] Police [PSD address] Date: [DATE] Dear Sir / Madam, Complaint about the conduct of [OFFICER NAME OR BADGE] I wish to make a formal complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002 about the conduct of one or more officers of [POLICE FORCE NAME] Police. 1. My details Name: [YOUR NAME] Date of birth: [YOUR DATE OF BIRTH] Address: [as above] Contact: [phone / email] 2. The incident Date: [INCIDENT DATE] Time: [INCIDENT TIME] Location: [INCIDENT LOCATION] 3. Officer(s) involved [OFFICER DETAILS (NAME, COLLAR NUMBER, FORCE, STATION)] 4. What happened [WHAT HAPPENED (CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT)] 5. Witnesses [WITNESSES (NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS)] 6. Evidence I enclose / can provide the following evidence: [EVIDENCE AVAILABLE] 7. Why I consider this is misconduct I consider that the officer(s) breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour (Schedule 2, Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020), specifically: [STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR BREACHED]. 8. What I want to happen [WHAT OUTCOME YOU WANT] 9. Onward referral If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily by the PSD, I will refer it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.