Learn About the Complaint Process
The Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) has introduced important changes to the police oversight and discipline process to ensure more accountability for the policing sector and to increase public confidence and trust in the police discipline process.
Members of the public may file complaints about:
- the conduct of police officers,
- the adequacy and effectiveness of policing provided by the police service, the procedures of the police service, or the policies of the Board,
- the conduct of special constables, or
- Members of the Hamilton Police Service Board.
This page provides information on how to file complaints about each of the above.
Complaints about the Conduct of Police Officers
Complaints about the conduct of police officers can be filed either formally or informally.
Informal complaints may be made at any one of the Service's police stations. Contact information for each police station may be found on the Hamilton Police Service website.
For information on how to file a formal complaint, please visit the website of the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA).
Complaints about the Adequacy and Effectiveness of Policing Provided by the Police Service, the Procedures of the Police Service, or the Policies of the Board
Complaints about the adequacy and effectiveness of policing provided by the police service, the procedures of the police service, or the policies of the Board can be filed with the Inspector General of Policing.
Complaints about the Conduct of Special Constables
Any member of the public may make a complaint about a special constable by completing the Special Constable Complaint Form and forwarding it to the Board’s Administrative Director. The complaint will be then be processed and managed by the Office of the Chief of Police.
Complaints about Members of the Hamilton Police Service Board
Board members are governed by a Code of Conduct which establishes a standard of conduct for Board members.
In accordance with section 106 of the Community Safety and Policing Act, any person who believes a member of a police service board has committed misconduct may make a complaint to the Inspector General of Policing.
Other information you may find useful:
Code of Conduct for Special Constables