Western Australia Police Force

What types of complaints can you make?

You can lodge a complaint about:

Unsatisfactory Service Delivery: You can complain to the PCIU if you are unhappy with a service you received or how a WA Police employee handled your request for help, including:  

• Failure to respond

• Unreasonable delays  

• Poor communication

• Poor handling of a non-urgent police matter

Improper, Unlawful, or Discriminatory conduct: You should complain to the PCIU if you experienced any of the following behaviours:  

• Use of excessive force

• Unlawful arrest

• Unreasonable use of police powers (for example: taking you to the police station handcuffed without any explanation for the arrest)

• Disrespectful treatment

• Discriminatory comments or conduct

Improper use of confidential information and police authority: You should complain to the PCIU if experience any of the following:

• Accessing Police systems for a personal reason

• Using police authority to benefit themselves or someone else

• Disclosing confidential information

Location/Jurisdiction: The PCIU can consider complaints in accordance with the laws of Western Australia in relation to the conduct of the WA Police Force.  

The PCIU can hear complaints involving the conduct of WA Police personnel, a WA Police service, or police action connected to Western Australia.

Time limits: There is no specified time limit for making a complaint, but victims are encouraged to make complaints as soon as possible.

Who can you make a complaint against?

You may make a complaint against WA Police Force employees or the WA Police Force as an entity. Specifically:

• WA Police Officers

• WA Police Employees

• WA Police Force

Note: Issues involving serious police misconduct and corruption, may also be relevant to the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).

The PCIU does not handle:

• Emergencies

• New crime reports

• Complaints about Australian Federal Police

• Complaints about private security, prisons, courts, or local councils.

Are you eligible to make a complaint?

You can complain to the PCIU if you have received a service from the WA Police or have experienced misconduct or poor service.

There are no prior steps required before submitting a complaint to the SBC.

You can complain on behalf of someone else if that person is unable to make a complaint online, via the phone, via email or in writing themselves.

What can this body do to help?

Possible outcomes include:

• Service Correction or Improvement: Your complaint may result in identifying and correcting service deficiencies. While this will not result in a personal remedy for you, it will aid WA Police to improve their service to the public.

• Formal Investigation: Serious unprofessional conduct may be dealt with by formal investigation. Appointed investigators may take statements, call witnesses and gather relevant evidence before the outcome is decided.

• Disciplinary Action: Disciplinary actions against WA Police Officers and Employees may include a: caution or reprimand, fine, demotion, salary reduction, suspension, discharge or dismissal.

• Referral to the Corruption and Crime Commission (“CCC”): Serious misconduct and corruption complaints may be referred to the CCC for further review and examination.

How to prepare your complaint:

When making a complaint to the PCIU, include as much clear information as possible.

Personal details: Include your name, address, phone number and email address. Note your preferred method of communication (phone or email).

WA Police Officer or Employee's details: Include as much information as known to you about the WA police office or employee, including: name, rank, badge number, police station, or general description.

What happened/Relevant Facts: Give details such as:

• Date and time of the incident

• Location of the incident

• Names of all officers or employees involved

• Details of any witnesses

Evidence: Attach any supporting documents or evidence that supports your complaint. If you have been physically hurt, this should include a medical report from a doctor, photographs of the injuries, and information on any witnesses.

What NOT to include:

Making a false complaint or creating a false belief may be an offence under the Criminal Code or the Corruption and Crime Commission Act.

Lodging your complaint and next steps:

You can lodge your complaint using the online form, email, phone, or in-person at a local police station.

• Online:  

• Report WA Police Force Employee Misconduct - for misconduct complaints regarding Police Force personnel

• Contact WA Police - complaints regarding dissatisfactory service should be made through the General Enquiry form)

• Email: police.complaints@police.wa.gov.au

• Phone: 08 6372 6000

• In Person: At your local police station. Locations can be found here: Your local police | Western Australian Government

What happens next: You should receive an acknowledgement of your complaint within seven days. If your complaint leads to a formal investigation, you may contact the investigator managing your complaint for a status update.

You will receive written advice of the outcome once the formal investigation has been completed.

Other things to know: Help is available if you need support to lodge your complaint, including arranging an accredited interpreter.  

If your complaint relates to an offence you have been charged with, get legal advice about whether to complain now or wait until the court case has finished.

If you have been hurt, you should:

• See a doctor straight away. You may need to get a medical report.;

• Get someone to take photographs of your injuries.;

• Write down as much as you can about who hurt you including their name, badge number, rank and the police station where they work.; and

• Write down the name of the last person to see you before you were hurt and the first person to see you afterwards. Ask them to write their own notes as soon as possible.

More information:

Refer to the factsheet provided below for more information.

‍

‍