Your feedback matters
Being stopped and searched can be an unpleasant experience, no matter the approach of the police officers involved. But if it’s felt that there has been unnecessary force or an inappropriate attitude, then we'd like to hear about it and, where necessary, act upon it. Likewise, we welcome any suggestions or positive comments you’d like to share.
Tell us about your experience of being stopped by the police
If you feel you’ve had an unpleasant or unsatisfactory experience, you may wish to make a formal complaint. You can do so if you think a police officer has behaved incorrectly or unfairly. For example, if you think an officer has:
- been rude to you
- used excessive force
- abused your rights
- arrested you unlawfully
All complaints are investigated and this can take time.
To make a formal complaint and for more information about how complaints are investigated, read our complaints pages. If you've had a positive experience, you can offer us feedback.
If you think you have been treated unfairly, you can also complain to us:
Professional Standards Department
Cumbria Constabulary
Carleton Hall
Penrith
Cumbria
CA10 2AU
Alternatives to a formal complaint
To raise an issue about something that has caused you concern, or was done well, it may be worth giving feedback. This might be particularly useful if you've witnessed something where, because you were not directly affected, you feel reluctant to make a formal contact, but you still feel unhappy, or pleased, about the way you've seen police officers behave.
If you want to raise a concern about a stop and search, you can complete a stop and search trigger application.
How to get involved
Ethics and integrity panel
The Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has established an ethics and integrity panel to ensure the highest standards of professional policing and accountability in the use of police powers, including stop and search. The panel currently has four members of the public appointed to it and meets on a quarterly basis.
Find out more about the panel and how to contact the PCC.
Lay observation scheme
The Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme requires police forces to provide opportunities for members of the public to accompany police officers on patrol when they might deploy stop and search powers.
The introduction of a 'lay observation' process allows for two-way learning, and helps bring police closer to the public. Under this process:
- Members of the public are provided with the opportunity to see stop and search in action.
- The police have the opportunity to demonstrate their use of stop and search.
- The public has the opportunity to provide feedback to the police based upon their observations.
Applicants will need to be voluntarily vetted prior to being approved to accompany an officer. They will also need to be flexible regarding the hours they accompany an officer, and the area where they patrol, although we will endeavour to find an area close to their home address.
Please note that the following restrictions apply:
- Applicants who are under the age of 18 will not be considered for this scheme.
- Participants will be restricted to one observation every six months.
- Applicants must reside within the Cumbria Constabulary geographical boundaries.
- Applicants must have no serious or recent convictions that may be considered to pose a security risk. The decision as to whether an individual poses a security risk will be at the discretion of Cumbria Constabulary following vetting procedures.
- Applicants are not entitled to reimbursement of any expenses incurred in connection with this scheme.
- Applicants must not already be members of Cumbria Constabulary - this includes police volunteers, staff and special constables.
You can apply by emailing us or by writing to:
Lay observation scheme
Cumbria Police Headquarters,
1-2 Carleton Hall,
Penrith,
Cumbria,
CA10 2AU
Please include the following in your application:
- you name and address
- date of birth
- email address
- telephone number
- any medical or welfare requirements (optional)