File a Complaint

As of April 1, 2024, there are new laws in Ontario governing the conduct of police services and police members.

If you have a complaint about the conduct of a Police Officer, Special Constable, Hamilton Police Service delivery or a Hamilton Police Service policy, you can choose to file a formal complaint. It is only by bringing your concerns to our attention that we can effectively address them.

The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) is responsible for public complaints against Ontario's police officers. To file a complaint about the conduct of a police officer, please visit their website at: https://leca.ca/

All complaints are investigated thoroughly and when appropriate, resolution through mediation or other informal means is encouraged. Our goal is to ensure the satisfaction of both parties.

If you wish to file a public complaint about a Special Constable you may:

  • Attend a Hamilton Police station and speak to the on-duty Staff Sergeant
  • Fill out a Special Constable Public Complaint form which can be accessed here

To learn more about the conduct that warrants filing a complaint against a Special Constable, please visit the following link:

O. Reg. 410/23: CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SPECIAL CONSTABLES (ontario.ca)

If you have a complaint about the services of the Hamilton Police or a Hamilton Police Service policy, you may choose to file a complaint with the Inspectorate of Policing (IOP). To learn more about the IOP complaint process or file a complaint please visit their website at: Complaints | Inspectorate of Policing (iopontario.ca)

If you are unsure where to file your complaint, do not worry. Complaints filed with either LECA or the IOP will be referred to the correct agency, so there is no need to file a compliant with both agencies.

The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 1 (ontario.ca) establishes a partnership between the Hamilton Police Service, the Hamilton Police Services Board, members of the public and the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA).

The emphasis of the "Complaints" portion of the Act is to resolve complaints in a timely, professional, and where possible, by local resolution and/or informal resolution.

The Hamilton Police Service Professional Standards Branch investigates public complaints assigned by LECA. These involve complaints about police officer conduct pursuant to the Community Safety and Policing Act Code of Conduct, which can be found here: O. Reg. 407/23: CODE OF CONDUCT FOR POLICE OFFICERS (ontario.ca) ,

The Inspector General of Policing handles the following complaints:

  • Complaints that a police service may not be providing adequate and effective policing, as defined in regulation
  • Complaints that a member of a police service board has violated their code of conduct, as defined in regulation
  • Complaints that a police service, a police service board, or an organization that employs special constables has failed to comply with any other part of the Community Safety and Policing Act or its regulations
  • complaints about police service board policies and complaints about procedures established by Chiefs of Police

The Hamilton Police Service Professional Standards Branch also investigates complaints and serious discipline issues concerning non-sworn members including Special Constables.

All complaints are investigated thoroughly and impartially.

If you wish to file a public complaint you may:

  • attend a Hamilton Police station and speak to the on duty Staff Sergeant
  • you can submit a written complaint to:

Hamilton Police Service
155 King William St., Box 1060, LCD1
Hamilton, ON L8N 4C1