Complaints about Devon and Cornwall police, its officers and staff

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall has a role in monitoring how the police handle and respond to complaints about Devon and Cornwall police, its officers and operational police staff. You can find out more about how we scrutinise this along with the findings, which are published here.

Under police complaint reforms, from 1 February 2020, the Police and Crime Commissioner is the 'appropriate authority' to review certain police complaints where a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome. Further information can be found here.

The Police and Crime Commissioner is also responsible for appointing and providing Legally Qualified Chairs and Independent Misconduct Hearing Panel members for Police Misconduct Hearings. More information about this function can be found here.

When this office receives a complaint or expression of dissatisfaction from a member of the public about Devon and Cornwall Police, its officers or staff, it will be necessary for us to refer the matter to the Devon and Cornwall Police. This is because complaints or expressions of dissatisfaction about the police must be handled by the police themselves. We will refer the matter to the appropriate team within the police force who will look into your concerns and respond to you directly. If you are making a complaint on behalf of someone else, you will need to provide the police with that person's permission to act on their behalf.

If you would prefer to send your complaint or expression of dissatisfaction directly to Devon and Cornwall Police please use their website.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) provides more information about how to make a police complaint, what happens after you make a complaint and how to appeal about the way the police handled your complaint. This information can be found on their website.