What is a complaint?
What can I make a complaint about?
You can complain to Police Scotland about our action or lack of action, or about the standard of service provided by us.
Complaints can be made about individuals who work for Police Scotland, including serving officers, members of police staff, contractors and volunteers or the quality of service provided by Police Scotland as an organisation.
If your complaint is about the police as an organisation you need to have been adversely affected or dissatisfied about the issue you're complaining about.
If your complaint is about a person who works for the police, you need to have either witnessed their actions or have been adversely affected or be dissatisfied with them.
For example, you can't make a complaint about a video you've seen on a mobile phone or social media involving people you don't know or an event you didn't attend if it did not adversely affect you.
If you are not sure if you have grounds for a complaint, please contact us so that we can discuss the circumstances with you.
How to make a complaint
How to complain to us:
- Use our online Complaint Capture Form
- Write to us at: Professional Standards Department, PO Box 2460, Police Scotland Dalmarnock, Glasgow, G40 9BA
- Call 101
- Visit your local police station.
You can also ask anyone else to make a complaint on your behalf, as long as you give them your written permission.
To make a complaint about the action or omissions of the Chief Constable, our Deputy/Assistant Chief Constables, members of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) board or staff, or the SPA itself please contact the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).
If you need help to make a complaint
If English isn't your first language, we can offer translation support to help you make your complaint.
If you have a disability or difficulty with written or verbal communication we can support you.
If your first language is British Sign Language you can call 101 using the Contact Scotland BSL video interpreting service.
Other organisations that provide advice and guidance about complaints about the police include:
- Citizens Advice Scotland
- Scottish Refugee Council (SRC)
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC)
- Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
