What we do

We are an independent organisation, not connected to the police.  We strive to offer the best possible service to all our contacts and to operate in an open and accountable way.  It is our job to review complaints fairly, and as quickly as possible.

We’ll decide as soon as possible whether your complaint is within our powers to review, then we’ll let you know.  If we can accept your complaint, and you agree that we should do so, we’ll ask the police force, police authority or policing agency you are complaining about for information about what’s happened so far.

How long it takes us to complete our review depends on how complicated the complaint is, and how quickly we get the facts.  Your local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help you with putting together your complaint.

We will let you know we have received your letter within 2 working days.  After that we will update you with our progress in reviewing your complaint at least once every 28 days.  We will be happy to talk to you about your complaint, and to make sure that we fully understand your concerns.

Before we complete our review we will write to you giving you the opportunity to make sure we are reviewing everything you consider important.

When we have finished this process the Commissioner will let you know his final conclusions and reasons.

In the interests of openness he will also publish his report, suitably anonymised, on this website.