Important information
One of the key responsibilities of our office is to act as the local independent review body for the handling of police complaints that have been recorded under Schedule 3 (of the Police Reform Act 2002) by Surrey Police. The appropriate authority to address complaints in the first instance is the Professional Standards Department (PSD). Once the PSD have completed their investigation into a complaint, they provide the complainant with an outcome letter setting out their response to each point of concern.
If the complainant remains dissatisfied at that point, they can ask our office to undertake an independent review into the handling of the complaint by the PSD. Reviews do not include re-investigating the initial matters that triggered the complaint – we have no police investigatory powers. They instead consider whether all reasonable and proportionate enquiries have been conducted / investigated in the resolution of the complaint itself and whether the outcome is fair.
Upon completion, complainants are provided with a review outcome letter setting out our assessment of the handling of their complaint and describing any shortcomings that we identify. If we agree that the service provided by the original complaint handler was not reasonable or proportionate, we will make recommendations to PSD to rectify those shortcomings.
If we do not uphold the complaint, the review outcome letter will set out the reasons why. There is no further right of review at this point, although complainants would have the option to pursue a judicial review. To apply for a review your complaint must have been:
- recorded by PSD under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002
- you must make the request in writing, by webform below or post, within 29 days of the date on the PSD outcome letter.
We cannot begin a review until PSD have finalised the complaint and provided the complainant with their outcome letter.
If you would rather not use this online form, please post a letter to:
Review Request, Police & Crime Commissioner, PO Box 412, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1YJ.