If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from the police then depending on the nature of the issues involved there are a number of ways in which you can make a complaint.

• Contact the police force directly either in person or in writing.
• Contact a solicitor or MP who can complain on your behalf.
• Contact CROP or an organisation such as Citizens Advice Bureau who may be able to assist you with making a complaint.

Police behaviour and conduct

If you are unhappy about the behaviour or conduct of police officers and staff then you can make a complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) provided that:

• the behaviour you want to complain about was directed towards you;
• the behaviour you want to complain about adversely affected you;
• the behaviour that you want to complain about was witnessed by you.

You can also make a complaint on behalf of someone else if they have given you their written permission to do so.

If you wish to make a complaint via the IPCC then you will need to contact them to obtain a complaint form. Also, you will need to give your consent to the IPCC for them to contact the police force concerned. It might be quicker to complain directly to the police force you wish to complain about.

Once your complaint has been received an investigations should take place to resolve the issues. The nature of the investigation will depend on the circumstances of your complaint.

For further in-depth information regarding making complaints via the IPCC visit: www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/complaints/your_complaint_.htm

Police policies and procedure

If you have a complaint about a police force’s policies and procedures (also known as ‘direction and control’) then you can complain to the police force concerned. Contact a CROP parent support worker if you would like assistance with this.