**NEW** - the Office of the Independent Police Review Director is responsible for public complaints against Ontario's police. To file a complaint for incidents occuring after October 19, 2009, please visit their website at: www.oiprd.on.ca
For incidents prior to October 19, 2009:
Click here for our Public Complaint Form
If you feel that you have a complaint about the conduct of a Police Officer or about the services or policy of the Hamilton Police Service, you can choose to file a formal complaint. It is only by bringing your concerns to our attention that we can effectively address them. All complaints are investigated thoroughly and when appropriate, we encourage their resolution through mediation or other informal means. Our goal is to ensure the satisfaction of both parties.
Complaints
The Police Services Act establishes a partnership between the Hamilton Police Service, the Police Services Board, members of the public and the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCPS). The emphasis of the "Complaints" portion of the Act is to resolve complaints in a timely, professional, and where possible, informal manner.
The Professional Standards Branch investigates:
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conduct complaints filed pursuant to Part V of the Police Services Act,
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complaints about the service, provided by the Hamilton Police Service,
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complaints about the policies of the Police Service,
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complaints and serious discipline issues concerning non-sworn members,
We can assure you that your complaint will be investigated thoroughly and impartially.
Our Professional Standards Branch is conveniently located at 140 King St. E., #20 in downtown Hamilton in the shopping plaza adjacent to the Ramada Hotel. We are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Our office is situated here to enhance accessibility and comfort level for persons wishing to file public complaints. You may still attend at any police station in Hamilton to file your complaint, but as a way of better serving our community we now offer a location away from a police station.
If you wish to file a public complaint you may:
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come to 140 King St.E., #20 in person to speak to a member of Professional Standards
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attend any of the police stations at the addresses listed below and speak to the on-duty Staff Sergeant
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you can submit a written complaint by mail at the address below
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you also have the option of using a standard Public Complaint form, located at all stations in Hamilton.
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Our stations are located at:
Central Police Station
155 King William Street
Box 1060, LCD 1
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4C1
East End Station
2825 King Street East
Hamilton, Ontario L8G 1J6
Mountain Police Station
400 Rymal Road East
Hamilton, Ontario L9B 1J2
Please remember that legislation requires that all public complaints must be in writing and signed.