Making a Complaint About the Police (and Template)

Understand Your Rights

You have the right to make a complaint if you believe you were treated unfairly by the police, either during an arrest, in custody, or as part of police interaction. Complaints can cover a range of issues, including:

• Unlawful or inappropriate arrest.

• Use of excessive force.

• Discrimination or mistreatment.

• Failure to follow correct procedures (e.g., not providing an appropriate adult for vulnerable individuals).

• Violation of your rights, such as your right to legal advice or reasonable adjustments for disabilities.

Your Rights:

• Right to complain: You can complain about your treatment by the police, including their failure to meet your needs or follow legal procedures.

• Right to an independent review: If you're unhappy with the outcome of your complaint, you can escalate it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

• Reasonable adjustments: If you have specific needs (e.g., autism, ADHD, or mental health issues), you can ask for reasonable adjustments during police interactions.

Gather Information

Before you file a complaint, collect all relevant details to support your case:

• Date and time of the incident.

• Names or badge numbers of the officers involved (if you don’t know, try to note physical descriptions or the station involved).

• Details of the incident: What happened, where it happened, and how you were treated.

• Witnesses: If anyone witnessed the incident, get their names and contact details.

• Evidence: If possible, provide photos, videos, or medical records that support your complaint.

• Medical assessment: If you were injured or felt mistreated, a medical report can be crucial.

Choose Where to Make Your Complaint

You can make a complaint through several channels:

• Directly to the police: You can complain directly to the police force involved (e.g., the police station where you were taken).

• Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC): If you feel the police aren’t handling your complaint fairly, or if the incident is particularly serious, you can escalate it to the IOPC.

• Independent support organisations: If you are struggling with the complaint process, you can seek help from organisations like Inquest, Liberty, or local advocacy services.

Decide How to Complain

You can make a complaint verbally or in writing. For formal complaints, it is best to do so in writing (email or letter), as it provides a record of your concerns.

• Verbal complaint: You can initially try to speak to a supervisor or the complaints officer at the police station.

• Written complaint: A letter or email will provide a detailed account of your complaint and is often more effective.

Submit the Complaint

Submit your complaint to the appropriate place:

• To the police: If you are complaining directly to the police, use the force's formal complaint process (details can be found on their website).

• To the IOPC: If you wish to escalate your complaint, submit it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct via their website or contact them directly.

Wait for a Response

Once your complaint is received, you should get an acknowledgment within 5 working days. The police are required to investigate complaints and respond within a reasonable time, usually within 28 days, but it could take longer if the issue is more complex.

If you’re dissatisfied with the outcome, you can ask for an independent review by the IOPC.

If You Are Unhappy with the Response

If you're unhappy with the response to your complaint, you can:

• Appeal: Ask the police force to review the complaint or request that the IOPC reviews it.

• Take legal action: If the matter is serious, you might also seek legal advice on whether you have grounds for further action.

Example of a Complaint About Treatment in Custody

Scenario: You were arrested for a minor offense and taken to a police station. You feel that the police did not make reasonable adjustments for your needs. They didn’t provide an appropriate adult to support you during your questioning, and the environment was too noisy, which caused you significant distress.

You want to complain about the lack of adjustments made and the negative impact on your health during your detention.

Complaint Template:

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, Postcode]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

Date

Complaints Department

[Name of Police Force or Police Station]

[Address of Police Force or Station]

[City, Postcode]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Complaint Regarding Treatment in Custody on [Date]

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding my treatment during my detention at [name of police station or force] on [date of incident]. I was arrested on [insert date], and while in custody, I feel that my rights were not properly considered.

Details of the Incident:

I was detained at [name of station] following my arrest for [briefly describe the charge or offense]. During my time in custody, I encountered significant difficulties related to my health needs, and I believe these were not taken into account by the officers involved. Specifically:

• I was not provided with an appropriate adult to support me during questioning, despite being entitled to one due to my vulnerabilities.

• The environment in the custody area was extremely noisy and overwhelming, which caused me sensory overload and exacerbated my mental health symptoms.

• I was not offered sufficient time to process information or respond to questions, which made me feel confused and distressed.

• I was not given any reasonable adjustments to meet my specific needs (e.g., additional breaks, a quieter space, etc.).

This failure to make reasonable adjustments caused me considerable distress, and I feel that the officers involved did not fully understand or respect my needs.

What I Would Like to Happen:

I would appreciate it if you could:

• Investigate the treatment I received during my detention and provide an explanation for why reasonable adjustments were not made.

• Review the training and procedures in place at your station to ensure that officers are better prepared to handle individuals with health related needs.

• Provide information on how you plan to address this issue and what steps will be taken to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

I would like to receive a response within [28 days, or your preferred timeframe], as outlined in the police complaints process.

Please contact me at [your phone number] or [your email address] should you need any further information or clarification.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Date of Birth (if relevant for identification)]

[Your Case/Arrest Number (if known)]

Final Thoughts

Making a complaint about the police or your treatment in custody is your right. The process ensures that issues are addressed, accountability is upheld, and individuals are treated fairly. If you have specific needs, you should receive reasonable adjustments, and it’s important that the police or custody officers are held accountable when they fail to provide these.