If you want to take legal action against a police officer, you will need good legal help – police officers enjoy a large range of protections both formal and informal, and charges against them are taken seriously.
You have several avenues for making a complaint about a police officer, however if you want to take legal action, doing so as soon as possible after the incident is best. Call Vanessa Ash immediately to get advice on the best way forward.
How to make a general complaint about the police
General complaints about police can be made to the Police Conduct Unit, the officer-in-charge at a police station, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) or the Commonwealth Ombudsman. There are also other avenues for complaints that are specific to certain situations, for example racial, sexual, religious, indigenous, or other discrimination can be dealt with or support gained from various bodies that deal with those issues specifically.
Suing the police for compensation and damages due to genuine suffering or wrongdoing by police requires evidence of suffering and loss, so be meticulous in note-taking and record-keeping.
What to note down
- What happened
- Date and time of event/s
- Police involved – name, rank, station (try to get them at the time)
- If you have been hurt, get medical attention immediately, photograph injuries
- Contact lawyer Vanessa Ash to get legal assistance with the process
Get sound legal advice from an experienced lawyer.