Our role in handling complaints and misconduct
The role of HMICFRS
HMICFRS doesn’t have a remit to investigate or resolve individual complaints. However, as part of HMICFRS’s role in assessing police force efficiency and effectiveness, we have a statutory duty to keep ourselves informed of how police forces handle complaints and misconduct.
In addition, if a police and crime commissioner (PCC) decides that it is appropriate for a complaint to be investigated by someone from outside the force, it has become customary for them to be able (if they wish) to ask HMICFRS for assistance in identifying who this should be.
Complaints about the police
All complaints, in the first instance, should be directed to the relevant police force. You can find contact details and forces’ complaints procedures on their websites.
Should you feel that you wish to take your complaint further, the PCC holds the police force to account and also has the legal power to hold the chief constable to account.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (formerly the Independent Police Complaints Commission) considers appeals from people who are dissatisfied with the way a police force has dealt with their complaint.
The police force and PCCs are also obliged by law to refer certain complaints to the IOPC. HMICFRS and the IOPC have a duty to co-operate with each other.
Complaints about the conduct of individual officers
The arrangements for resolving complaints about the conduct of individual police officers are set out in legislation.
The PCC is responsible for monitoring complaints made against officers and staff, while having responsibility for complaints against the chief constable.
Oversight of the complaints system
The IOPC has a statutory guardianship role for the police complaints system as a whole. The IOPC’s main role is to increase public confidence in the police complaints system in England and Wales.
Arrangements for complaints and misconduct in London
While the arrangements for the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police are similar to those set out above, there is some local variation.