Your feedback matters
Being stopped and searched can be an unpleasant experience, no matter the approach of the police officers involved. But if it’s felt that there has been unnecessary force or an inappropriate attitude, then we'd like to hear about it and, where necessary, act upon it. Likewise, we welcome any suggestions or positive comments you’d like to share.
Tell us about your experience of being stopped by the police
If you feel you’ve had an unpleasant or unsatisfactory experience, you may wish to make a formal complaint. You can do so if you think a police officer has behaved incorrectly or unfairly. For example, if you think an officer has:
- been rude to you
- used excessive force
- abused your rights
- arrested you unlawfully
All complaints are investigated and this can take time.
Alternatives to a formal complaint
To raise an issue about something that has caused you concern, or was done well, it may be worth giving feedback. This might be particularly useful if you've witnessed something where, because you were not directly affected, you feel reluctant to make a formal contact, but you still feel unhappy, or pleased, about the way you've seen police officers behave.
There are options available for giving feedback:
- Make a suggestion using our online contact form.
How to get involved
Ride Along scheme
The Ride Along scheme offers members of the public the opportunity to accompany our officers on patrol and experience first hand how stop and search may be used. The scheme enables two-way learning and helps create greater understanding and closeness between the police and the public.
For more information and details of how to apply, please use our quick and simple online Ride Along scheme application form.
If your application is successful, local police will agree a time and location for you to accompany officers. After the Ride Along, you will be asked to complete a feedback questionnaire required by the Home Office as part of their Best use of stop and search scheme.
To take part in the scheme you must be 18 years old or over.
Please note: we're not taking Ride Along scheme applications at the moment as we've had so many. Please check back regularly to see when applications are open again.
Scrutiny panels
Youth scrutiny panel
We invite groups of young people from across Cleveland to a session with to review recent local cases of stop and search. The aim is to learn about and discuss these searches in a productive environment.
BAME security panel
We invite groups of black, Asian and minority ethnic people from across Cleveland to a session with to review recent local cases of stop and search. The aim is to learn about and discuss these searches in a productive environment.
We remove the names from all cases discussed.
To find out more about recent panels or upcoming panels, please email us.