Tips for Smart Cops Series:

Complaints Against Police - Reporting and Immediate Action

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1. Whenever a complaint is made to a police officer on outdoor duties, and immediate action is required, the officer will report the case to his Divisional Console by telephone (beat radio should not be used). The Divisional Controller will take appropriate action.

2. If a telephone is not available under the above-mentioned situation 1, the officer will invite and accompany the complainant to the nearest police station, or report centre, where the DO will take appropriate action.

3. If the complaint does not require immediate action, the officer will make a relevant record in his notebook and report the facts to the DO when he next returns to the police station.

4. In the above-mentioned situation 3, the officer will inform the complainant that his complaint will be recorded and that he will be informed in due course of the action taken, and any further queries should be directed to CAPO.

5. Whenever a complaint against police is made to a police officer concerning his own actions or relating to an incident to which he is a party, the officer is to inform his immediate supervisory officer at the earliest opportunity.

6. When a complaint against police is brought to the attention of a supervisory officer, he will initiate actions to secure independent witnesses and corroborative evidence, and will ensure that the facts are reported to the DO immediately.

(This column is contributed by the Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch)