Complaint Reviews

You can ask for a review if you have received the final outcome of a complaint made to Hertfordshire Constabulary and your outcome letter confirms that you have a right to a review.

A review considers whether the way your complaint was handled and its final outcome were reasonable and proportionate. It is not a new investigation.

You cannot request a review before your complaint has been completed. Only you, or someone acting for you with your written consent, can apply.

Your outcome letter will tell you whether the OPCC or the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will handle your review. The IOPC normally reviews the most serious matters, including:

• a death or serious injury
• a serious sexual offence
• serious corruption
• a criminal allegation or conduct that could lead to disciplinary action

Apply within 28 days. The correct review body must receive your application within 28 days, starting the day after the date on your outcome letter. If you send it to the wrong organisation, it will be forwarded and you will be told.

How to apply to the OPCC
Email [email protected] if your outcome letter says the OPCC is the correct review body.

You can also write to:

Herts OPCC Review Body
Hertfordshire Police HQ
Stanborough Road
Welwyn Garden City
AL8 6XF

For guidance, call 01707 354150.

What to include
Please provide:

1. Your complaint details and reference number, if you have one
2. The date you made the complaint
3. A copy of your final outcome letter, including its date
4. The name of the police force or policing body that handled it
5. Why you believe the complaint was not handled fairly or the outcome was not reasonable
6. What you would like the review to achieve

What happens next
We will acknowledge your application, obtain the complaint records and consider whether the handling and outcome were reasonable and proportionate.

We will send you our decision and explain the reasons in writing. If the review takes longer than 56 days, we will update you and continue to provide an update every 28 days.

A review cannot consider new complaints or reinvestigate the original complaint. If the OPCC finds that the outcome was not reasonable and proportionate, it may make recommendations to Hertfordshire Constabulary, which must consider and respond to them.

More information is available on the IOPC website