To complain about the police, you generally have these main options:

• Complain directly to the police force involved. This can be done by writing a letter, using the police force’s website complaint form, visiting a police station in person, or calling their non-emergency phone number (101 in some places). You can bring a friend or advocate with you if complaining in person, and someone else can complain on your behalf with your written permission. Police forces have departments often called professional standards departments that handle complaints.

• Complain through an independent body like the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in England and Wales. You can use the IOPC online complaint form or download a complaint form to post. The IOPC will forward your complaint to the relevant police force to handle, but they investigate only the most serious cases themselves. Complaints must typically be made within 12 months of the incident.

• In Scotland, complaints can also be made to Police Scotland by phone, in person, or in writing. Complaints about senior officers go to the Scottish Police Authority. Anonymity is possible but limits follow-up.

• When making your complaint, be as detailed as possible—include dates, names or badge numbers if known, descriptions of what happened, and any evidence or witnesses. You can ask for an apology, officer retraining, or disciplinary action, but financial compensation is usually separate and may require a legal claim.

• If you want help with your complaint, you can ask an MP to raise it on your behalf (free but slow), or seek advice from solicitors, Citizens Advice, or law centers.

In summary, complain directly to the police force or to the independent police complaints organization in your jurisdiction, providing clear details of the incident, and ask for the outcome you want. There are also support options if you need help with the complaint process.