Making a Police Complaint in Quebec
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 Quebec differs from federal law
Quebec has a distinct and well-developed system for handling complaints about police conduct, separate from the processes in other provinces.
- The Commissaire a la deontologie policiere (Police Ethics Commissioner) receives and investigates complaints about police officers in Quebec. This is an independent body that handles complaints about all Quebec police forces (SQ, municipal police, and Indigenous police).
- If the Commissioner finds the complaint justified, the case is referred to the Comite de deontologie policiere (Police Ethics Committee), which is a specialized tribunal that can impose sanctions ranging from a warning to dismissal.
- The Bureau des enquetes independantes (BEI) investigates cases where a person is seriously injured or dies during a police operation. The BEI operates independently of all police forces and reports to the Minister of Public Security.
- You can file a complaint about any police officer's conduct, including rudeness, excessive force, illegal searches, racial profiling, or abuse of authority. The complaint can be filed by the person directly affected or by a witness.
- Complaints must generally be filed within one year of the incident, though the Commissioner may accept late complaints in exceptional circumstances.
Additional Steps in Quebec
File a complaint with the Commissaire a la deontologie policiere online at deontologie-policiere.gouv.qc.ca, by mail, or by calling 1-877-237-7897. You can also walk into any police station and ask that your complaint be forwarded. Include as much detail as possible: date, time, location, officer badge numbers, and witness information. You have the right to receive updates on the investigation's progress.
Relevant Law: Police Act (CQLR c P-13.1), ss. 143-255; Act respecting the independent investigation bureau (CQLR c B-8.2)
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.