“To those who suffer in silence, may you find the strength to speak your truth. Your Pain, Your Voice, Your Life matters.”
— Founder of NAAVoices
Police Misconduct: Rights, Complaints & Guidance
Whether you’re a victim, witness, or someone falsely accused—understand the legislation, your rights, and how to navigate the complaints system.
Make a Complaint
Submit your complaint directly to the Independent Office for Police Conduct
IOPC Complaint Form →Request a Review
Not satisfied with how your complaint was handled? Apply for a review
Review Process →Key Legislation Governing Police Conduct
Understanding the legal framework is essential for holding police accountable. The following primary legislation establishes the structure, standards, and mechanisms for addressing police conduct and misconduct in England and Wales.
Police Act 1996
The foundational legislation governing the structure, administration, and regulation of police forces in England and Wales. Establishes police force structure, defines chief constable responsibilities, and sets the framework for police discipline.
Police Reform Act 2002
Created the independent complaints oversight body (now IOPC), established police misconduct procedures, introduced civilian investigators for serious complaints, and enabled super-complaints against police forces.
Policing and Crime Act 2017
Reformed the IPCC into the IOPC with enhanced powers, strengthened the police complaints system, introduced protection for police whistleblowers, and extended the super-complaints regime.
Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
Enshrines victims’ rights in law, strengthens the role of the Victims’ Commissioner, introduces new duties on criminal justice agencies, and improves data collection on victim experiences.
Police Conduct, Complaints & Performance Regulations 2020
The 2020 Regulations represent a comprehensive overhaul of the police disciplinary framework, replacing the 2012 Regulations and implementing reforms from the Policing and Crime Act 2017.
Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020
Sets out detailed procedures for dealing with police misconduct. Defines the Standards of Professional Behaviour, establishes misconduct meeting/hearing procedures, and outlines sanctions from written warning to dismissal.
Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020
Details how complaints against police officers should be handled from initial receipt through to resolution. Ensures consistent handling across all forces and provides clear timeframes and procedures.
Police (Performance) Regulations 2020
Addresses unsatisfactory performance and attendance by police officers. Establishes a staged process for managing officers whose performance falls below acceptable standards.
Home Office Statutory Guidance on Police Conduct
Comprehensive statutory guidance accompanying the 2020 Regulations, providing detailed direction on implementation and interpretation of conduct and performance procedures.
Policing Standards and Ethical Guidelines
The Code of Ethics and professional standards provide the benchmark against which police conduct is measured. Understanding these standards is crucial when assessing whether conduct constitutes misconduct.
Code of Ethics & Professional Standards
Code of Ethics
College of Policing – Primary ResourceGuidance for Ethical and Professional Behaviour
Detailed guidance on applying ethical principlesEthics Hub
College of Policing Ethics ResourcesProfessional Standards
College of Policing Standards FrameworkCode of Ethics 2014 (PDF)
Full document downloadCode of Ethics 2024 Launch
New Code of Ethics informationThe Ten Standards of Professional Behaviour
These standards, set out in Schedule 2 of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, define the behaviours expected of all police officers:
- Honesty and Integrity: Officers must be honest, act with integrity and not compromise or abuse their position
- Authority, Respect and Courtesy: Officers must act with self-control and tolerance, treating everyone with respect and courtesy
- Equality and Diversity: Officers must act with fairness and impartiality, not discriminating unlawfully
- Use of Force: Officers must only use force to the extent necessary and proportionate
- Orders and Instructions: Officers must give and carry out lawful orders only
- Duties and Responsibilities: Officers must be diligent in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities
- Confidentiality: Officers must treat information with respect and only access or disclose it lawfully
- Fitness for Duty: Officers must be fit to carry out their responsibilities
- Discreditable Conduct: Officers must behave in a manner that does not discredit the police service
- Challenging and Reporting Improper Conduct: Officers must report, challenge or take action against improper conduct by colleagues
A breach of these standards can constitute misconduct (breach justifying disciplinary action) or gross misconduct (breach so serious as to justify dismissal).
The Nine Policing Principles
Based on the Seven Nolan Principles for public life, with the addition of Fairness and Respect:
- Accountability: Being answerable for decisions, actions, and omissions
- Fairness: Treating people fairly and without discrimination
- Honesty: Being truthful and open
- Integrity: Acting with honesty and avoiding improper behaviour
- Leadership: Being a positive role model
- Objectivity: Making decisions based on evidence
- Openness: Being transparent about actions and decisions
- Respect: Treating everyone with dignity
- Selflessness: Serving the public interest
The 2024 Code of Ethics condenses these into three core principles: Courage, Respect and Empathy, and Public Service.
Victims’ Code of Practice
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime sets out the minimum standards that must be provided to victims by criminal justice agencies. Understanding your rights under this Code is essential when dealing with police.
Victims’ Code Resources
Your 12 Rights Under the Victims’ Code
- Right 1: To be able to understand and be understood
- Right 2: To have the details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay
- Right 3: To be provided with information when reporting a crime
- Right 4: To be referred to services that support victims
- Right 5: To be provided with information about compensation
- Right 6: To be provided with information about the investigation and prosecution
- Right 7: To make a Victim Personal Statement
- Right 8: To be given information about the trial, if there is one
- Right 9: To be given information about the outcome of the case
- Right 10: To be given information if the offender is released from custody
- Right 11: To have your needs assessed
- Right 12: To make a complaint about your rights not being met
Enhanced Rights: Victims of domestic abuse, sexual offences, hate crime, terrorism, and other serious crimes are entitled to enhanced services including automatic needs assessment and access to special measures in court.
IOPC Guidance: Ending Victim Blaming
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has published specific guidance on ending victim blaming in the context of violence against women and girls. This is essential reading for understanding what constitutes inappropriate police responses.
IOPC Violence Against Women and Girls Resources
Examples of Victim-Blaming Behaviours by Police
According to IOPC guidance, victim-blaming includes:
- Asking why a victim didn’t leave the relationship sooner
- Questioning what the victim did to provoke the abuse
- Implying the victim’s behaviour, dress, or lifestyle contributed to the abuse
- Suggesting the victim is partially responsible for staying in the relationship
- Dismissing abuse because the victim returned to the perpetrator
- Treating withdrawal of complaints as evidence the abuse wasn’t serious
- Using pathologising language like “crazy”, “hysterical”, “attention seeking”
- Recording accounts using victim-blaming language in police systems
Impact: Victim-blaming by police causes significant harm: it retraumatises victims, deters reporting, enables perpetrators, and breaches professional standards. Officers who engage in victim-blaming may be subject to misconduct proceedings.
Domestic Abuse Policy Guidance
Statutory guidance and policy documents that govern how police should respond to domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour.
Home Office Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Guidance
Safeguarding & Multi-Agency Working
Comprehensive Legal Protections & Victim Rights
Guidelines, policies, and support services that establish ethical standards and provide practical frameworks for victim care within the criminal justice system.
Victim & Witness Support
Victims’ Code
Code of Practice for Victims of CrimeVictim Personal Statement Guide
Joint agency guidanceSpecial Measures for Vulnerable Witnesses
CPS guidanceAchieving Best Evidence (ABE)
Guidance on interviewing vulnerable witnessesCriminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
Government guidanceCitizens Advice Victim Service
Free advice and supportSpecialist Support Services
Neurodiversity & Additional Needs
Making a Complaint About Police Conduct
If you have experienced police misconduct—whether as a victim, witness, or someone falsely accused—you have the right to make a formal complaint. The IOPC oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales.
IOPC Complaints Resources
Submit a Complaint
IOPC Online Complaint FormGuide to the Complaints Process
Step-by-step guidanceIOPC Complaints Hub
All complaints informationIOPC Main Website
Independent Office for Police ConductComplaints Guide (PDF)
Downloadable guideLiberty – Making a Complaint
Independent adviceStep-by-Step Complaints Process
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all interactions—dates, times, officer names/numbers, and what was said or done
- Submit Your Complaint: Use the IOPC online form or complain directly to the Professional Standards Department of the relevant police force
- Acknowledgement: The force must acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days
- Assessment: Your complaint will be assessed and either resolved locally or formally investigated
- Outcome: You will be told the outcome and what action will be taken
- Right to Review: If unsatisfied, you can request a review within 28 days
Time Limits
While there is no strict time limit, complaints made more than 12 months after the incident may not be investigated unless there are good reasons for the delay. Complain as soon as possible while events are fresh in your memory. Even if you’re uncertain whether to complain, keeping detailed records preserves your options.
Support Services for Victims of Police Misconduct & Victim Blaming
If you’ve experienced police misconduct or victim blaming, support is available. These organisations can help with complaints, legal advice, and emotional support.
IOPC
The Independent Office for Police Conduct oversees the police complaints system and investigates the most serious matters.
Liberty
Human rights organisation providing advice on making complaints against the police and understanding your rights.
Victim Support
Free, confidential support for victims of crime, including those experiencing issues with police responses.
24/7 support available
Citizens Advice
Free advice on making complaints, understanding your rights, and navigating the criminal justice system.
Inquest
Charity providing expertise on state-related deaths and supporting families through police-related investigations.
Samaritans
Confidential emotional support available 24/7 for anyone in distress, including those traumatised by institutional failures.
Free to call, 24/7
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
24-hour support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, including those let down by police responses.
Run by Refuge, 24/7
Rights of Women
Free legal advice for women on family law, domestic violence, and criminal law matters.
Criminal Law: 020 7251 8887
Stories of Honour Amongst Police Misconduct
While this page focuses on police failings, it’s important to acknowledge that within the system, there are officers who embody the values policing should represent. Their integrity often comes at personal cost.
Sgt Atkins
Integrity Under FireCurrently awaiting a directions hearing for a crime he never committed—arrested for acting on domestic abuse and supporting neurodiverse victims. His arrest came just three weeks after the perpetrator was arrested. Despite nine months passing, information continued to be leaked, and the abuse continued. His story represents the cost of doing the right thing within a corrupted system.
Sgt Treetop
Empathy and ProfessionalismThe fifth officer entrusted with addressing complaints regarding failings, Sgt Treetop exemplifies integrity and dedication. Coming from a generation that joined the police to protect and serve, he demonstrated empathy, understanding, and professionalism when delivering difficult news. He embodies the core values the police force should represent.
DC Jackie
And Then She Was GoneIn a journey of reliving abuse while recounting stories to 19 different officers over 12 months, two compassionate officers provided crucial support. DC Jackie made a profound difference—until she was stopped from showing humanity and prevented from doing right by victims. Her story highlights the institutional barriers faced by officers who try to act with integrity.
