The Police Ombudsman's Office provides an independent and impartial service for dealing with complaints against the police.
The Police Ombudsman's Office looks at evidence to decide whether police officers have acted properly or not. They also investigate complaints against some, but not all, civilian employees of the police. This includes employees performing custody or escort duties for the police.
Their decisions are made entirely independently of the police, government and complainants.
You do not have to pay to complain to them.
The Police Ombudsman deals with complaints against:
- Police officers and some others employed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland
- Belfast Harbour Police
- Belfast International Airport Police;
- National Crime Agency Officers in Northern Ireland (serious cases)
- Ministry of Defence Police in Northern Ireland (serious cases)
- Immigration and Border Agency officials in Northern Ireland (serious cases)
- Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (serious cases)