When you make your complaint the police will want to know:
If your complaint doesn't include a claim the police broke the law, it may be dealt with locally. A supervisory officer (a sergeant or above) will contact you. They will either:
After your complaint has been investigated, they may decide:
Whatever is the result of your complaint, the police will let you know. For non-criminal cases, they will aim to issue a final letter no later than 56 days after the complaint is first made. Rare cases may take longer, but you will be told if this has to happen.
Criminal cases may take longer. This is because they need to be referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), who are independent of the police. COPFS will consider the case and decide whether or not to prosecute.
If your complaint is about the Chief Constable, a Deputy Chief Constable or an Assistant Chief Constable, contact the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).
Contact the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) if you're not satisfied with the way your complaint was dealt with.
The PIRC is independent of the police.
You must send your application to the PIRC within 3 months of the date on which the police sent you its findings about your complaint.
If your application isn't received within 3 months of that date, the PIRC may be unable to accept your case.
Contact Citizens Advice on 0808 800 9060 or visit a bureau for help with complaints about the police.