Reports against the police claims

The police force is there to uphold the law and protect us against crime and disorder. They perform a vital role in society and in the main, do this safely and effectively.

But as with any role things can go wrong. There are occasions where a neglect of duty leads to injury or causes distress. This includes wrongful arrest, mistreatment by the police or harassment.

This happens to groups of people as well as individuals. One example of this is a situation where a group of people are engaged in peaceful protest but become injured due to excessive force. Another is the ‘stop and search’ process where certain groups in society feel that they are unfairly targeted by the police.

No-one would dispute the fact that the police have a difficult and dangerous job to do. They are in the front line and it is easy for something to go wrong in a highly charged, stressful situation.

This is where a misunderstanding or lack of communication can lead to a personal injury. This not only affects you but your family as well.

If this has happened to you then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Making a claim for compensation against the police

This is not an easy step to take and requires the assistance of a personal injury solicitor or lawyer who is specially trained in this aspect.

They will have expertise and experience in handling a claim against the police and will advise you accordingly. This includes claims of excessive force, wrongful arrest or negligence.

They should have in-depth knowledge of the Human Rights Act and a track record of these types of cases.

If you want to know more about the claims process then visit our making a claim for compensation section.

Similarly, if you wish to make a complaint against the police then visit the website of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (www.ipcc.gov.uk).

They exist to investigate complaints of abuse or misconduct against the police in a fair and non-judgemental manner. They have guidelines regarding the way complaints against the police are handled plus information for both the police and general public about the complaints procedure.

Time limit for claiming compensation against the police

Most claims for personal injury compensation have a deadline of 3 years from the date of the injury. However this may differ in regard to this type of claim.

Check with a personal injury lawyer or solicitor as to the deadline for making a claim.