How do I complain about police conduct?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Describe what an officer did towards you and the outcome you seek. A conduct complaint does not replace a fine appeal or criminal-procedure remedy.
On this page
1. Choose the right route
This concerns conduct towards you: treatment, commitments, insufficient action or use of powers. Laws, policy and fines are outside this route. Use the appropriate remedy for a fine, seizure or non-prosecution and protect its deadline separately. Immediate danger:112; a complaint is not an emergency call.
2. Organise facts and aim
Record date, place, known officers and specific conduct. Include relevant correspondence, witnesses or recordings; distinguish facts from assumptions. State your aim, such as explanation, correction or a ruling. Submit promptly and ask whether an older incident can still be considered.
3. Submit yourself
The official online form routes the complaint; police disclose that it stores your IP address. Alternatively send a signed letter to the unit's police chief. Give name, address, phone, optional email, submission date, place, conduct and aim. Personal limitations preventing writing: ask0900-8844 about oral submission assistance.
4. Discuss handling
Keep copy and proof of receipt. The handler checks requirements, discusses your aim and hears the officer too. A joint conversation may resolve matters. Explain what remains unresolved and confirm written agreements. Compensation or a criminal investigation does not follow automatically.
5. Request a ruling
Police state ten weeks for handling, fourteen when the committee is involved. Ask for status and expected completion if delayed. If dissatisfied with resolution, seek the chief's ruling with advice from the independent complaints committee. The committee advises; the chief decides, considering any other advice.
6. Approach the ombudsman in time
After the police route, dissatisfaction or late handling may be taken to the National Ombudsman. Its conditions require applying within one year of the response, or one year after handling should have occurred. Attach complaint, reply and timeline. The Ombudsman assesses jurisdiction; pending court proceedings or available objection/appeal routes may exclude investigation.
Draft: police conduct complaint
Check unit/address, fill in facts, sign and send yourself. Not a fine appeal, criminal report or deadline suspension.
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Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Does a complaint cancel my fine?
No. A conduct complaint is not a fine appeal and does not stop its deadline. Follow the remedy stated in the fine decision.
Documents to prepare
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Conduct, place, date and officers
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Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
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Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Conduct, place, date and officers
- Facts, evidence and witnesses
- Requested resolution or ruling
- Contacts and signed letter
- Receipt, ten/fourteen weeks and replies
- Other remedy deadlines and ombudsman year
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Politie · Welke klachten ↗Politie · Indienen ↗Politie · Behandeling ↗Politie · Duur ↗Politie · Vervolg ↗Nationale ombudsman · Bevoegdheid ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.