Officers of the New Zealand Police are expected to conduct themselves with the highest levels of professionalism and integrity, and ensure that their authority is exercised responsibly.
How to complain
If you wish to complain about serious police misconduct or more minor matters relating to the service you received from a police officer, you can approach:
- Any police station public counter (ask for the Senior Sergeant or Sergeant)
- A Commissioned Officer of Police, a Shift Supervisor or a District Commander of a Police District
- The Office of the Police Commissioner, PO Box 3017, Wellington
- The Registrar or Deputy Registrar of any District Court
- An Ombudsman
- A Member of Parliament
- The Independent Police Conduct Authority
www.ipca.govt.nz
P O Box 5025
Wellington
Free phone 0800 503-728
Fax (04) 499-2053.
You can complain:
- Online at the Independent Police Conduct Authority
- Verbally to a police officer, who will write down the substance of the complaint
- In a written statement, taken by a commissioned or non-commissioned police officer
- By writing a letter to any of the people listed above
- By completing a complaint form provided by the Police Complaints Authority, which is available from some police stations.
What information should you provide?
When making a complaint you should provide as much detail as possible so that an appropriate response can be made. The information you should include is:
- your name and contact details
- a detailed description of the matter being reported
- date, time and location of the incident
- the names of people involved, or who could otherwise help resolve your complaint
- the names of the New Zealand Police employees involved, if known
- details of any documents, records, witnesses etc that may help resolve your complaint
- what you expect to be done about your complaint
- any other information you consider relevant.
What happens next
Once you have lodged a complaint, you will receive an acknowledgment.
The complaint will then be assessed and a decision made on the best way to deal with it. You will be told what that decision is.
Independent Police Conduct Authority
Serious cases involving allegations of misconduct, neglect of duty or
grievances concerning police practice, policy or procedure, if reported
directly to the police, will be notified to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (
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Expressions of dissatisfaction
Less serious cases where you might want to ask for information, receive an explanation or voice your displeasure about police conduct are referred to as "expressions of dissatisfaction".
These are likely to be dealt with by local police staff who will work to address your concerns and provide a satisfactory resolution.
Keeping you informed
In all cases the Police, or the Independent Police Conduct Authority, will give you information about the process to be followed in resolving your complaint and tell you what the outcome is.
