Appropriate authority (police complaints)

The chief officer of the force about which dissatisfaction is expressed. Or, where a complaint relates to the conduct of an individual, the chief officer who has direction and control over that person.

If a complaint relates to the conduct of a chief officer or acting chief officer, the appropriate authority is the local policing body with responsibility for that police force area (section 29, Police Reform Act 2002 – paragraph 1.19 of the IOPC statutory guidance 2020. If a member of the public wishes to make a complaint about a police force, their complaint will be dealt with by an appropriate authority. The appropriate authority has the legislative authority to address complaints about police misconduct and dissatisfaction with the services a force might provide.

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