Complaints Procedure
The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland provide and independent and impartial service, dealing with complaints against police including Belfast Harbour Police.
They examine the evidence to decide whether police officers have acted properly or not. Their decisions are made entirely independently of the police, government and complainants.
You can make a complaint:
- Online via their website – https://policeombudsman.org/complaints/english
- Telephone – call 0300 123 2989
- Email – complaints@policeombudsman.org
By post or in person at the following address:
Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland
New Cathedral Buildings
Writers’ Square
11 Church Street
Belfast BT1 1PG
The Police Ombudsman’s offices are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Please call 0300 123 2989 to make an appointment.
* Telephone calls may be recorded for joint protection, training and other lawful purposes.
Please try to give the Police Ombudsman’s Office as much information as you can about the incident you are complaining about, including such things as:
- the day, time, date and exact location of the incident
- the name, shoulder number and a physical description of the officer(s) or employee involved
- the name, address and telephone number(s) of any witnesses
- the registration numbers of any vehicles involved in the incident
- any other helpful or relevant evidence, such as photographs or audio or video footage
You must make your complaint within one year of the incident you are concerned about.
In special circumstances, the Police Ombudsman can decide to investigate a complaint about something that happened more than a year before it was reported to them. This happens when the Police Ombudsman believes the complaint to be grave or exceptional.
