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.
You can also make a complaint in these ways:
- In person at any police station (find your local police station).
- By phone: 101
- By writing to:
The Professional Standards Department
Gloucestershire Constabulary
No.1 Waterwells
Waterwells Drive
Quedgeley
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL22AN
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.
There are options available for giving feedback:
You can:
- make a suggestion using our online contact form.
- visit your local Citizens Advice
- contact your solicitor, or your MP, and ask them to make a complaint for you or nominate a person to act on your behalf
- complete a stop and search trigger application
How to get involved
Ride Along scheme
The Ride Along scheme offers members of the public the opportunity to accompany our officers on patrol and experience first hand how stop and search may be used. The scheme enables two-way learning and helps create greater understanding and closeness between the police and the public.
For more information and details of how to apply, please use our quick and simple online Ride Along scheme application form.
If your application is successful, local police will agree a time and location for you to accompany officers. After the Ride Along, you will be asked to complete a feedback questionnaire required by the Home Office as part of their Best use of stop and search scheme.
To take part in the scheme you must be aged 16 or over.
We’ll conduct criminal record checks: each case is considered individually, so previous convictions won’t automatically prevent a Ride Along.
We’ll give you a confidentiality agreement and observer briefing sheet that you must read and sign.
We reserve the right to refuse participation in this scheme and to terminate the Ride Along at any point.
Scrutiny panels
Scrutiny panels take place throughout the year. These are when police, independent advisory group and selected community members meet to scrutinise the effectiveness and legitimacy of our use of stop and search, and any other stop and search issues that arise.
Please email us to ask about the results of these scrutiny panels.