Making a Police Complaint in Ontario
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Filing a complaint against a police officer in Canada is your right, and the routes depend on which force the officer belongs to.
For the RCMP, complaints go to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). For provincial and municipal forces, each province runs its own oversight body:
- Ontario: Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA)
- British Columbia: Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC)
- Alberta: Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) / Police Review Commission
- Quebec: Commissaire a la deontologie policiere
Complaints split into two: conduct complaints (the officer's behaviour) and service or policy complaints (the force's procedures or training).
Where someone has been killed or seriously injured during a police encounter, you don't need to file — investigation is automatic, by a specialised civilian unit (Ontario's SIU, Alberta's ASIRT, Quebec's BEI).
When does it apply?
Anyone can file — citizenship status is irrelevant.
- Covers misconduct, excessive force, unlawful search, and discrimination.
- Time limits vary — usually somewhere between 6 months and 1 year — so move fast.
What to Do If a Police Officer in Canada Mistreats You or Violates Your Rights
The strength of any police complaint is the level of detail. Capture it before memory blurs.
- Write down everything as soon as you can — dates, times, badge numbers, exact words.
- Photograph injuries and damage immediately.
- File with the right body: RCMP at crcc-ccetp.gc.ca; Ontario at leca.ca; BC at opcc.bc.ca.
- File in writing and keep a copy of everything you send.
- For anything serious, talk to a lawyer before filing — strategy matters.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't sit on it. Time limits are strict and seldom extended.
- Don't exaggerate. Investigators discount complaints that overreach. Stick to what you saw.
- Don't confront the officer. The formal process is the only one with teeth.
- Don't post the story on social media before filing. Defence counsel will use it.
How Ontario differs from federal law
Ontario has a structured, independent system for complaints about police conduct, overseen by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
- The OIPRD receives and manages all public complaints about Ontario police officers (municipal police and OPP). You can file a complaint about any officer's conduct, service, or policy.
- The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is a civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police where there has been death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU is independent of all police services.
- Under the Police Services Act, 2019, police chiefs must investigate complaints referred by the OIPRD and provide a response. Officers found to have committed misconduct can face penalties ranging from loss of pay to dismissal.
- You can also file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal if you experienced discrimination during a police encounter (e.g., racial profiling).
- The Ontario Civilian Police Commission hears appeals from police disciplinary decisions and can review the adequacy of police investigations into complaints.
Additional Steps in Ontario
File a complaint with the OIPRD online at oiprd.on.ca, by phone at 1-844-264-7732, or in person at any police station (they must forward it to the OIPRD). There is a 6-month time limit for conduct complaints, though extensions can be granted. For human rights complaints, file with the HRTO within 1 year. Document everything: names, badge numbers, time, location, and any witnesses.
Relevant Law: Police Services Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 1, Parts VII–X (Complaints and Discipline); Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 5
Common Questions
When does making a police complaint apply?
Anyone can file — citizenship status is irrelevant.Covers misconduct, excessive force, unlawful search, and discrimination.Time limits vary — usually somewhere between 6 months and 1 year — so move fast.
What should I do if a police officer in Canada abused their authority or treated me unfairly?
The strength of any police complaint is the level of detail. Capture it before memory blurs.Write down everything as soon as you can — dates, times, badge numbers, exact words.Photograph injuries and damage immediately.File with the right body: RCMP at crcc-ccetp.gc.ca; Ontario at leca.ca; BC at opcc.bc.ca.File in writing and keep a copy of everything you send.For anything serious, talk to a lawyer before filing — strategy matters.
What mistakes should I avoid with making a police complaint?
Don't sit on it. Time limits are strict and seldom extended.Don't exaggerate. Investigators discount complaints that overreach. Stick to what you saw.Don't confront the officer. The formal process is the only one with teeth.Don't post the story on social media before filing. Defence counsel will use it.
Making a Police Complaint in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.