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.
To make a formal complaint and for more information about how complaints are investigated, read our complaints pages. If you've had a positive experience, you can offer us feedback.
How to get involved
Independent stop and search community scrutiny panel
Having trust and belief in Cambridgeshire Constabulary is absolutely essential to our communities. We are open and transparent with them on issues such as stop and search and the use of force, and by showing that we are accountable for our actions, we aim to improve that trust.
The stop and search community scrutiny panel holds Cambridgeshire Constabulary to account on both stop and search and use of force issues and helps us improve our use of these important policing powers.
The panel of volunteers meets quarterly to review and scrutinise our use of stop and search and use of force, which can include unarmed defence tactics, the use of physical restraint, such as handcuffs, and the use of other police equipment, including incapacitant spray.
Random dip-samples take place and the panel then meet to look at the method and legality of stop and searches and the appropriateness of the use of force.
By examining records, officer statements and body worn video footage, they give feedback to us. Any feedback received from any of the scrutiny sessions, either positive or negative, is fed back into the organisation so we can continue to listen to your views and shape our organisation to proudly serve our communities in the way they expect and deserve.
Join the panel
Anyone over 16 who lives, works or studies in Cambridgeshire can join the panel. We aim to make sure the panel continues to reflect the demographics of the county, so we review membership every year.
If you're interested in joining, please email the panel.
Community complaints trigger
If you are at all unhappy with how the Constabulary is implementing its stop and search powers, please do let us know by raising a police complaints procedure. This will then be reviewed by our Professional Standards Department and any subsequent action will be reported back to the community scrutiny panel.