The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which was previously the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales.
Most complaints are dealt with by the relevant police force. Each force has a separate department that makes sure that complaints are dealt with appropriately. These are called ‘professional standards departments’.
Only the most serious and sensitive matters are independently investigated by the IOPC. These are the type of matters that have the potential to affect public confidence in the police, such as deaths and serious injuries.
You can use the complaints system to complain about both police officers and members of staff working for a police force.
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