Make a Complaint

What can I complain about?

You can complain to Police Scotland about our action or lack of action, or about the standard of service provided by us.

If you know or suspect a police officer or police staff member is doing something that does not feel right – tell us about it – or tell the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service, run by Crimestoppers. Concerns relating to allegations of corruption or serious abuse can be reported to the service by calling 0800 085 00 00 or via the Crimestoppers website.

For example you can complain to us :

• If you have experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour from an individual associated with Police Scotland, namely serving police officers, members of police staff, contractors or volunteers.
• You can make a complaint about a police officer or member of police staff who, on or off duty:
• takes money or favours in exchange for information or making things happen
• commits a criminal act
• uses their job for their own gain, for example, for money or advantage
• takes advantage of their position as a member of the police service to misuse their position, authority or powers in order to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with any member of the public
• is abusive or controlling with their partner or family
• is racist, homophobic or misogynistic, on or off duty, in person or online.

• You can complain about how Police Scotland operates, for example, about the standard of police service, strategies or policing policy.

If your complaint is about a senior member of Police Scotland, for example, the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable or an Assistant Chief Constable this should be directed to the SPA at Scottish Police Authority (SPA)

The SPA provides forensic services to Police Scotland and are responsible for dealing with complaints about any scientists or staff members. For any complaints about forensic services, please contact the SPA using the link above. 

If you have found this page by using a search engine, please review the following questions to make sure your concern is directed to the correct place and dealt with quickly. Making sure your concern is sent to the correct point of contact will make the process faster. 

For complaints about all other members of Police Scotland you should submit a complaint.

You can also phone 101 or attend your local station to submit your complaint. Please also see our FAQs below.

FAQs

I’ve submitted my complaint about the police, what happens next?

Your complaint will be assessed by the NCARU (National Complaints Assessment and Resolution Unit) in the Professional Standards Department in line with the PIRC statutory guidance on the handling of complaints about the police in Scotland. Please note, this document is not produced by Police Scotland and may not be fully accessible. 

Following assessment Police Scotland may:

• provide you with an explanation
• offer you an apology
• provide the officer(s) with training or advice
• send the complaint for further investigation

We will aim to contact you within 10 working days to discuss your complaint or advise you it has been allocated for further investigation.

Can someone under 18 make a complaint about the police?

Yes, someone under the age of 18 can make a complaint about one or more officers or members of support staff employed by Police Scotland. 

Someone under 18 can also make a complaint relation to their rights. Police Scotland must do all we can to uphold children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Implementation) (Scotland) Act 2024. Children, young people, or their representatives can make a complaint about the police if they believe their rights have not been respected, fulfilled and / or upheld. 

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) have circulated Child Friendly Complaints Principles, which means that informed consent will be sought from the child affected where a complaint has been raised by parent/s or other responsible adult/s on behalf of the child.

The best interests of any child affected will be at the heart of the complaints process. This means all decisions made or actions taken will treat the best interests of any children affected as a top priority.

Can I remain anonymous in my submission?

You can remain anonymous, but that means we can not ask you for further details regarding your complaint if needed.

If you remain anonymous you will not be updated with the findings or outcome of your complaint.

Should a police officer always tell me their name?

No, the police officer may provide you with either their name or their shoulder number. There is a new process in place for verifying the identity of a lone officer. More information can be found on the lone police officers to offer verification check to members of the public news article.

Criminal Complaints

If you would like to make a criminal complaint against any police officer or police staff member working for Police Scotland, and do not want to engage with Police Scotland or the SPA, you can send your complaint to Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) Criminal Allegations About the Police Division (CAAPD)

What if I am not satisfied with the handling of my complaint? 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your complaint, you can contact the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC), an independent organisation not connected to Police Scotland, to request that your complaint is reviewed. Find out more about the role of the PIRC.

Other Organisations

Other organisations that provide advice and guidance about complaints about the police include:

• Citizens Advice Scotland 
• Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) 
• Equality and Human Rights Commission 
• Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) 
• Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) 

Feedback and Contact Information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

email: CorpCommunications@scotland.pnn.police.uk 

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If the information you are looking for is not listed on this page or you think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please use the contact details above. 

If English isn't your first language, we can offer translation support to help you make your complaint.

If you have a disability or difficulty with written or verbal communication we can support you.

If your first language is British Sign Language you can call 101 using the Contact Scotland BSL video interpreting service.