Contact and making a report
We know it may feel difficult to raise a concern about a police officer. This page explains when to contact Police Scotland and when you can contact COPFS directly.
Contact Police Scotland first
In most cases, complaints or allegations about a police officer should be made to Police Scotland first. Police Scotland is usually best placed to deal with these matters. They go through their Professional Standards Department (PSD) who can deal with these in an effective and efficient way.
You can find contact details and information about their process on their Complaints About the Police - Police Scotland page
When you can contact COPFS
We understand that sometimes, where trust and confidence with Police Scotland have been lost, you may not feel able to report your concern to them.
If that is the case, you can contact COPFS directly if:
- You are alleging criminal behaviour by a police officer.
- COPFS can’t consider complaints about behaviour, decisions, standards or service which might be inappropriate, unfair or unprofessional, but are not illegal.
- COPFS can only consider behaviour which may be breaking the law and may lead to prosecution.
- You are raising concerns by an on-duty police officer.
- If you are reporting criminal behaviour by an off-duty police officer, you must report this directly to Police Scotland as you would any other crime.
- You have not already reported this to Police Scotland.
- You can only report directly to COPFS for new matters which haven't already been reported to Police Scotland.
CAAPD contact details
If all of the above applies and you wish to contact our dedicated Criminal Allegations Against the Police Division (CAAPD) you can do so by:
Post:
Criminal Allegations against the Police Division
Hamilton Procurator Fiscal Office
Cameronian House
3/5 Almada Street
Hamilton
ML3 0HG
Telephone:
Enquiry Point - 0300 020 3000