Police Complaints System is overseen by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and governed by the Police Reform Act 2002. Having an open, accessible and responsive complaints system is important to us and essential to public confidence. We want to know if the level of service has fallen below your expectations and how we can improve our policing services.

If you wish to make a complaint about the conduct or behaviour of a police officer, a member of the police staff or a special constable, then you can do so, either by writing, telephoning, e-mailing or on line by using the details given below: - 

Professional Standards Department
Cumbria Constabulary
Carleton Hall
Penrith
Cumbria
CA10 2AU

Tel: (01768) 217133
Fax: (01768) 217638
Email: PSDAdmin@cumbria.police.uk

Complaint Access Points (C.A.P) have also been established, who will receive details of your complaint and forward them to us on your behalf, e.g. AWAZ (The voice and social network of the black and Minority Ethnic Community in Cumbria), Eden Rural Foyer (Old London Road, Penrith CA11 8ET), or Citizen Advice Bureau.
A further C.A.P. has been established with the Furness and South Cumbria Branch of the National Autistic Society, who are also working closely with our Diversity Unit and local officers to increase police awareness of autism.
The point of contact for this C.A.P. is Janet Rigg, e-mail address:
paulandjanet@supanet.com

You can now use your local library if you wish to make a complaint
Complaint Access Point.
You can download our leaflet “ Your Guide to Complaints”, which is currently available in English and Polish. This leaflet will give you more information on how to make a complaint and what will happen if you do.

Your Guide to Complaints (English)

Your Guide to Complaints (Polish)

The IPCC also produce leaflets in different languages, namely Arabic, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi, Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek, Welsh, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Somali, Turkish and English. They are also available in audio, Braille, large print and easy to read format.

If your query is about the progress of a case or investigation you may be involved in, then you should have been provided with a Help Desk number, but if you are experiencing difficulties, let us know and we will chase it up for you.

Direction and Control

If your complaint does not concern the conduct of a police officer,special constable or police staff member, it may be about the organisation or procedures of the constabulary. These complaints are Direction and Control issues and cover the following categories:
Operational Policing Policies
Operational Management Decisions
General Policing Standards in the Constabulary
Organisational Decisions
All such complaints are recorded and allocated to a manager in the appropriate area for necessary contact and action. The IPCC do not have a role in the management and handling of Direction and Control complaints.

Further Information

IPCC Leaflets