Your rights in interactions with the police, municipal enforcement and special investigating officers (BOAs)

The police must reasonably need your identity for the performance of their duties. You do not always have to be a suspect for this: identification may also be necessary in the event of an accident or investigation. Calmly ask why the check is needed. Whether the check was justified depends on the circumstances.

As a suspect, you do not have to answer questions about the criminal offence. You have the right to confidential consultation with a lawyer before the first interview and to legal assistance during the interview. Ask the police for this immediately. Do not wait to apply through our website.

A body search is subject to conditions. State where it happened, what reason was given and whether you were arrested. To assess whether the search was permitted, the circumstances must be clear. Once the circumstances are clear, a specialist can assess which power was used.

Strict rules also apply to police use of force. Note what happened, when and where, and preserve available evidence. If you have injuries, seek medical assistance. The reason for and course of events are important for an assessment; a complaint and a criminal case each require their own approach.

Describe the conduct, place and what you want to achieve with your complaint in concrete terms. You can use the official complaint form; submitting it by letter is also possible. For help preparing your complaint, you can discuss your situation here. A complaint is not a substitute for responding to a fine or criminal case.

State your name, address and telephone number, and optionally your email address. Include the date on which you submit the complaint, where it happened, which conduct you want assessed and what you want to achieve with the complaint. Describe specifically what you personally saw or heard. Sign the complaint if you send a letter.

Yes. The police provide an online complaint form, but you can also send a letter to the police chief of the relevant unit. Check the correct address through the official complaints page. State your contact details, the date, the place, the conduct you are complaining about and your objective. Sign the letter.

Are you unable to submit a written complaint because of a physical or other personal limitation? Then call 0900-8844. You can discuss how to make an appointment at a police station to explain your complaint orally. This route concerns the conduct of a police employee; challenging a fine is handled separately.

A supervisory officer may check your identity if this is necessary to perform their duties. The check must therefore be appropriate to that role. Ask which organisation the staff member works for and why your identification is needed. Not every municipal enforcement officer has the same powers.

A special investigating officer (BOA) has investigative powers within a specific set of duties. Arrest may be possible under the applicable rules. Searches and the use of force are not permitted for every BOA: additional powers and conditions are required. Ask what reason and power were used in your situation.

A complaint about conduct should in principle be addressed to the organisation for which the BOA works, for example the municipality. If you disagree with a fine or decision, read the letter to see how you can respond and by what deadline. Note the municipality, the sender and the type of document; then we can explain which steps are appropriate for your situation.