How to complain about police in Victoria

Last checked: 31 October 2026

The short answer

You can complain to Victoria Police itself, online, by post or at any police station. You can also complain to IBAC, the independent anti-corruption body, though IBAC often sends police complaints back to Victoria Police to handle. A complaint does not get you money. If you were hurt or treated unlawfully, you may also have a claim in court, and strict time limits apply to that.

Key dates and time limits

• No time limit is stated for a complaint to Victoria Police, but complain as soon as you can while memories and evidence are fresh.
• Police body-worn camera footage that is not needed as evidence is kept for 90 days, so act quickly if you want to view it.
• Court claim for an injury: generally 3 years from when you knew, or should have known, about the injury and who caused it, and no later than 12 years after it happened (Limitation of Actions Act 1958 s 27D). A court can sometimes extend this.
• Most other court claims against police, such as for damage to property: generally 6 years from the date it happened (Limitation of Actions Act 1958 s 5(1)).
• Victoria Police FOI decision: you have 28 days to ask OVIC to review it.

Step by step

1. 1

   Get safe and get medical help

   If you were hurt, see a doctor or go to hospital and tell them how it happened. Ask for a copy of your medical records. Take photos of any injuries over the next few days, as bruises change.

2. 2

   Write down what happened

   As soon as you can, write the date, time and place, what was said and done, and the names or badge numbers of the officers if you know them. Police must give you their name, rank and station if you ask. Write down who saw it and how to contact them.

3. 3

   Keep the evidence

   Keep photos, videos, damaged clothing, and any charge sheet or paperwork police gave you. Ask witnesses to write down what they saw while they still remember. Do not post your evidence online before you get advice.

4. 4

   Make your complaint

   Use the Victoria Police online complaint form, post the Word form to the Police Conduct Unit, or lodge it at any police station. You can complain to IBAC instead. Give as much detail as you can. You can complain anonymously, but then nobody can update you on what happens.

5. 5

   Ask about the camera footage

   If you made a complaint, you can ask to view the body-worn camera footage at your nearest police station. Police can refuse in some cases and should tell you why. Footage is generally exempt from FOI, but you can still apply for other police documents through the Victoria Police FOI office.

6. 6

   Get advice about a legal claim

   A complaint can lead to discipline for the officer, but it will not pay you compensation. A court claim, for example for assault or unlawful arrest, is separate and has strict time limits. Police are public authorities under the Charter of Human Rights, and a breach of the Charter can be raised as part of another claim, but the Charter alone does not give you damages.

Who can help

Forms and the law