Who should I send my police complaint letter to?

You should write to the Professional Standards Department (PSD) of the specific police force involved. The letter should be addressed to the PSD at the relevant police force address. This department handles most complaints about officer conduct in England and Wales, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct handles the most serious cases.

What information must I include in a formal police complaint?

Your letter should include your personal details, the incident date, time, and location, and specific details of the officers involved, such as their names or collar numbers. You must provide a chronological narrative of what happened, list any witnesses and evidence, explain why you consider it misconduct, and clearly state the outcome you want, such as an apology or disciplinary referral.

How long do I have to make a complaint about a police officer?

You should make the complaint as soon as possible. While late complaints can sometimes be considered, waiting more than 12 months from the incident is a common mistake that may weaken your case. It is generally better to submit your complaint earlier rather than later to ensure it is handled effectively.

What happens if I am not satisfied with the police force's response?

If you are dissatisfied with how the Professional Standards Department resolves your complaint, you can refer it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC handles the most serious complaints and provides an onward escalation route if the initial investigation by the police force is not satisfactory to you.

Can I use this letter to claim money for injuries or false imprisonment?

This complaint process is for concerns about the conduct of police officers or the force. It is not suitable if you wish to claim damages for assault or false imprisonment, as those are civil claims that may require action through the County or High Court. It also does not apply to non-Home Office police forces, which have separate processes.

← All Templates

Public/Regulatory

Police Powers & Complaints

Updated 2026-05-21

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

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Date*

Police force name*

Officer name or badge*

Your name*

Your date of birth*

Incident date*

Incident time*

Incident location*

Officer details (name, collar number, force, station)*

What happened (chronological account)*

Witnesses (names and contact details)*

Evidence available*

Standards of professional behaviour breached*

What outcome you want*

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.

Official Resources

IOPC — Make a complaint →Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 →

Frequently asked questions

Who should I send my police complaint letter to?: You should write to the Professional Standards Department (PSD) of the specific police force involved. The letter should be addressed to the PSD at the relevant police force address. This department handles most complaints about officer conduct in England and Wales, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct handles the most serious cases.
What information must I include in a formal police complaint?: Your letter should include your personal details, the incident date, time, and location, and specific details of the officers involved, such as their names or collar numbers. You must provide a chronological narrative of what happened, list any witnesses and evidence, explain why you consider it misconduct, and clearly state the outcome you want, such as an apology or disciplinary referral.
How long do I have to make a complaint about a police officer?: You should make the complaint as soon as possible. While late complaints can sometimes be considered, waiting more than 12 months from the incident is a common mistake that may weaken your case. It is generally better to submit your complaint earlier rather than later to ensure it is handled effectively.
What happens if I am not satisfied with the police force's response?: If you are dissatisfied with how the Professional Standards Department resolves your complaint, you can refer it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC handles the most serious complaints and provides an onward escalation route if the initial investigation by the police force is not satisfactory to you.
Can I use this letter to claim money for injuries or false imprisonment?: This complaint process is for concerns about the conduct of police officers or the force. It is not suitable if you wish to claim damages for assault or false imprisonment, as those are civil claims that may require action through the County or High Court. It also does not apply to non-Home Office police forces, which have separate processes.