Police Complaints Procedure

If you’ve been mistreated by the police, making a complaint can be an important step in taking action. However, the process can be complicated for more serious complaints and many are not investigated properly without legal representation.

Our expert lawyers understand the issues that surround police complaints and can help make sure your case is given the attention it needs. We could help you if you’ve been subject to:

Assault by police officers
Wrongful arrest or detention
Malicious prosecution
Police harassment – including unlawful stop and search
Discrimination
Any other breach of your legal rights

Police complaints should be investigated either by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) or the Professional Standards Department, depending on the severity of the incident complaint of, and the police officer’s conduct dealt with accordingly.

Our specialist team of police complaints lawyers has an excellent track record helping people with all kinds of complaints against the police. We’ll use our experience and expertise to help you get the answers you deserve and ensure that the necessary action is taken.

Excellent track record in police claims

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Specialist police complaints solicitors

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Police Complaints - More Information

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Are Police Complaints Dealt With?

Complaints about the police can either be made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission or directly the police force concerned. Complaints that are not dealt with by the IPCC should be investigated by the Professional Standards Department within the relevant police force.

There are two ways a police complaint can be dealt with by the PSD:

Local resolution
Local investigation

Local resolution is for less serious complaints. It aims to provide you with an explanation of what happened and – if appropriate – an apology.

Local investigation is for more serious complaints, including those concerning unlawful arrest. It should involve a full investigation into the conduct of the officer, or officers, whom the complaint is about. The investigating officer will then produce a report concluding whether or not there is a case for misconduct or gross misconduct.

In the most serious cases, the IPCC will determine that one of the following type of investigation is appropriate:

Supervised investigation
Managed investigation
Independent investigation

The mode of investigation can be very important in ensuring a complaint is properly investigated. We recommend that you contact us at an early stage, particularly if your complaint relates to death or serious injury.

If there is evidence of misconduct, the officer(s) could be subject to:

Disciplinary action
Criminal charges

The case will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service if the officer’s conduct is deemed serious enough to face criminal charges.

Why Do I Need A Lawyer To Make A Police Complaint?

The police complaint system is very complicated and can be difficult to navigate without legal guidance. The IPCC will only look into the most serious cases – usually those involving serious injury or death.

If the IPCC don’t deal with a complaint itself it should be referred to the Professional Standards Department of the police force concerned. However, we often find cases of both the IPCC and the Professional Standards departments not upholding complaints in circumstances where we think they should have done so.

If you do not have legal representation, you may miss valid grounds of complaint. This means investigations may not be carried out properly and you do not get the answers and assurances you need. It also means police conduct and procedure is not properly reviewed, and others may go on to face exactly the same issues in the future.

Making a complaint to the police is not the same as taking legal action against them. Pursuing legal action is known as a civil claim and it’s important to make sure this is not undermined by your police complaint – which can be the case if you do not have the appropriate legal support. We can advise you on whether you have grounds for a civil claim as well as a complaint, and can make sure your case is taken forwards in the best way.

If you’re concerned your complaint has not been investigated properly, we could also support you through the appeals process. Having a specialist lawyer who understands the ins and outs of the complaints process can be crucial in making sure your police complaint is dealt with in the best way possible.

Contact one of the team today on 0800 028 1943 – or fill out an enquiry form online and one of our experts will call you back.

How Can Irwin Mitchell Help?

Our specialist lawyers have represented a significant number of people in a wide range of police complaints. We have a wealth of experience making sure complaints are fully investigated, often conducting our own investigation before submitting the complaint to ensure it is as strong as it can be.

We can also represent you through the appeals process if a complaint has not been successful. We have extensive experience bringing actions against the police and in some cases can help you bring a civil claim in conjunction with your complaint. The police complaint itself will not result in compensation – but a thorough investigation can reveal valuable evidence which assists a compensation claim.

The complexity of the complaints system means that it’s often very difficult for non-specialist lawyers to navigate it successfully. Our highly experienced police complaints lawyers understand the nuances and potential difficulties of the process. We’ll give you the right representation to make sure your case is given the attention it deserves and the right action is taken wherever possible.

Irwin Mitchell is recognised by the foremost legal guides as a leading firm in the area of actions against the police. We’ll use our expertise to help you get the resolution you need, giving you support and guidance along the way.

Contact our team today on 0800 028 1943 for more information.

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Police Complaints Procedure

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Police Complaints - More Information

Who Can Make A Claim?

How Long Do I Have To Make A Claim?

What’s The Process For Making A Claim?

What Is The IPCC?

What funding is available?

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