What this means
Start with the exact decision in front of you.
A public complaint, recordable conduct matter and death or serious injury matter enter the system through different routes. The first task is to identify the matter, applicable rules and investigator without assuming that recording proves misconduct.
Immediate priorities
Organise the position before responding.
Save every notice, terms of reference and attachment
Identify the appropriate authority and mode of investigation
Check representation, welfare and response arrangements
Detailed guidance
The procedure, evidence and possible route from here.
01
Identify which police complaints route has opened
Read the first notice alongside the original expression of dissatisfaction or referral. A complaint, a recordable conduct matter and a death or serious injury matter are statutory categories with different entry points. A conduct matter can exist without a public complaint, while a death or serious injury referral does not itself allege misconduct. Record the date the matter came to the appropriate authority, the person or force concerned, the classification used and whether it has been referred to the IOPC. Do not describe simple recording as a finding against the officer.
Check whether the matter will be handled reasonably and proportionately without investigation, investigated locally, directed by the IOPC or investigated independently. The decision controls who sets the terms of reference, gathers evidence and gives updates. It may change as new facts emerge. Ask for the written handling decision, investigator details and current terms rather than relying on informal briefings. If the officer is already named as a person subject to investigation, confirm whether special procedures apply and obtain the notice identifying the alleged conduct and possible seriousness.
- Save the complaint, referral decision and every formal notice
- Record the classification and the body controlling the case
- Confirm whether special procedures and conduct notices apply
02
Protect the first account and operational evidence
Before preparing an account, secure lawful access to the material that can fix time, location and decision-making. That may include body-worn video, command and control logs, notebook entries, custody records, radio traffic, incident forms, duty records and local policy. Preserve references and audit information without copying protected police data to an unauthorised device. Where evidence is controlled by the investigator, identify it precisely and request disclosure through the case. A first response should distinguish personal recollection from what has since been learned from recordings or colleagues.
Establish the status of every request to speak. A witness account, a complaint response, a notice under the conduct framework and an interview about a suspected criminal offence serve different purposes. Representation and caution requirements can therefore differ. Record the request, proposed format, deadline and any disclosed material before deciding how to respond. Avoid circulating a single narrative as an all-purpose statement: inconsistencies can arise when questions are framed differently, and privileged criminal advice should not be repeated in an administrative or conduct response merely for convenience.
- List relevant operational records and their authorised holders
- Separate recollection from information learned after the event
- Confirm the legal and procedural status of any interview
03
Set representation, welfare and deadline arrangements
Notify the appropriate staff association, Police Federation representative or other permitted representative promptly and provide the complete papers. Check any deadline for an initial account, comments on terms of reference or attendance at interview. If disclosure is missing, make a focused written request and explain why the item is necessary for a fair response. An extension request should state the outstanding material and the time genuinely needed. It should not assume that a separate criminal, coronial or employment process automatically stops the police complaints timetable.
Treat welfare and operational risk as live issues from the outset. Ask for a named welfare contact and clarify any temporary instruction about duties, systems, witnesses or premises. Comply with an operative restriction while preserving the ability to seek review. Keep health information on an appropriate confidential channel and provide only what is relevant to participation or risk management. The immediate objective is a correctly classified case, a preserved record and a workable response plan, rather than an early argument about a disciplinary outcome that no decision-maker has reached.
- Send the full notice pack to the chosen representative
- Make specific disclosure or extension requests in writing
- Record welfare support and every operative work instruction
Key questions
Keep the analysis tied to this stage.
How the matter has been classified
Whether it must be referred to the IOPC
What information or account is presently required
Advice is provided only by the regulated firm that accepts a matter.
Common questions
Clarifying the route without assuming the outcome.
Does recording a police complaint mean misconduct has been proved?
No. Recording places the matter within the statutory complaints system. Investigation, any case-to-answer decision and any disciplinary finding are later and separate steps.
Is every death or serious injury referral a misconduct case?
No. A death or serious injury matter can require referral and investigation without an allegation of misconduct. The notices and later assessment should show whether conduct is also in issue.
Connected guidance
Continue through the topic map.
Use the hub for the full sequence or choose the connected route that matches the notice.
Official sources
Check the material for this question.
Sources checked 19 September 2026. Rules change, so compare the current notice and linked official material and tell the operator if a citation or summary needs correction.