Making a complaint against Cambridgeshire Constabulary

We want people to be safe and feel safe in the county and for the police to provide you with the best service possible. Everyone has a right to fair and honest treatment. However, sometimes things can go wrong and when this happens, we want to hear about it

Complaints against Cambridgeshire Constabulary are handled in two ways and by different organisations depending on the seniority of the officers concerned. It is important that you follow the right processes so that your concerns can be handled efficiently and by the right people.

Complaints against senior officers

Cambridgeshire Police Authority has a statutory duty to consider complaints against the most senior or chief officers of the constabulary e.g. Chief constable, deputy chief constable and assistant chief constable (known collectively as ACPO ranks).

If you wish to make a complaint against one or more of Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s senior officers please write to The Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Police Authority at our contact address or email: dorothy.gregson@cambs.pnn.police.uk

Please note Cambridgeshire Police Authority cannot handle complaints made anonymously.

Other complaints against Cambridgeshire Constabulary

The constabulary’s Professional Standards Department (PSD) is responsible for handling all complaints against officers below ACPO Rank and all police staff as well as general complaints regarding the provision of the policing service in Cambridgeshire.

In the first instance, we would recommend that you try and take up any issue with the officer concerned and/or their line manager. Often this is the most straightforward of resolving a matter.

If this is not possible or appropriate and you wish to make a complaint against Cambridgeshire Constabulary you can do in a number of ways by:

• filing in the online form on the constabulary website at http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/contactus/complaint.asp (you should not use this form to report a crime);
• writing to Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Professional Standards, Biggleswade Police Station, Station Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8AL;
• telephoning 01234 842 538 or
• emailing to psd@cambs.pnn.police.uk

Cambridgeshire Police Authority monitors the overall work of PSD in public through its People and Professional Standards Committee. However, please note that concerns on specific individual complaints should be directed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) see below.

Complained to the authority or constabulary but still not satisfied?

For guidance, or if you are not satisfied with the response you receive about a complaint or wish to appeal against a formal decision regarding the handling or investigation regarding:

• a complaint against senior officer(s) , or
• a complaint against officers below ACPO rank

you may contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which oversees the police complaints system and sets the standards by which complaints should be handled. Further details of what you can complain about, together with guidance on how to make a complaint and the appropriate forms can be found at www.ipcc.gov.uk