A policeman

What to do?

• Contact the Police Ethics Commissioner if you wish to lodge a complaint about a police officer’s conduct. The Commissioner is an institution independent of the police services that monitors derogatory acts in the profession.
• You can submit your complaint online or use the paper form.
• Your complaint must be filed no later than 1 year after the date of the event or 1 year after becoming aware of it. The Commissioner’s staff can help you put your complaint in writing and identify supporting evidence.

What does the Commissioner do after receiving my complaint?

• The Commissioner generally has 40 days to conduct a preliminary review of your complaint and make a decision. You will be informed of the decision in writing.
• At the end of the review, the Commissioner may:
  • close the file;
  • exceptionally order an investigation;
  • opt for conciliation.
• In the latter case, an impartial conciliator will be appointed to organize a dialogue session between you and the police officer. A person of your choice may accompany you. Conciliation will give you the opportunity to express your point of view and reach a written agreement with the police officer to resolve the dispute. If you do not wish to participate in conciliation, you must submit your reasons for opposition in writing within 30 days of filing your complaint.

What if the Commissioner decides to close the file?

• The Commissioner may decide to close the file after a preliminary examination, during conciliation, after an unsuccessful conciliation, or during an investigation. In this case, you can request a review of the decision following the refusal of your complaint. You can submit your request for review online, or use the paper form.
• You must send your request for review to the Commissioner within 15 days of receiving his decision. The Commissioner then has 10 days to review your request for review and render a final decision.
• If the complaint is rejected after the investigation, you must file your request for review with the clerk’s office of the Police Ethics Committee (administrative tribunal) within 30 days of notification of the Commissioner’s decision. You can request a review online, or use the paper form.
• The Committee examines your reasons and may call you to a hearing. The Committee has the power to confirm or overturn the Commissioner’s decision. If the decision is overturned, the Committee orders the Commissioner to continue his investigation, to conduct a new investigation or to refer the officer to the Police Ethics Committee. The Committee’s decision is final and without appeal.

What to do if your complaint concerns a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer?

• You can also file a complaint with the RCMP Civilian Complaints and Review Commission. The Commission is an independent agency created by the Parliament of Canada with a mandate to:
  • receive complaints from the public about the conduct of RCMP members;
  • to conduct a review when complainants are dissatisfied with the RCMP’s handling of their complaints;
  • convene hearings and conduct investigations;
  • draw conclusions and make recommendations.