HNK Solicitors HNK Solicitors

What counts as police harassment? How to make a harassment complaint against the police

We expect police officers to uphold the law and protect us from criminal behaviour. Unfortunately, a number of news stories in recent years have undermined public trust in the police, including concerns around institutional racism and a culture of misogyny.

These discussions have highlighted the fact that some police officers do not use their powers in an appropriate way. In some cases, they target individuals in a way that is persistent and unjustified – this is known as police harassment.

In this post, we’ll look in more detail at how you can recognise police harassment and the steps you can take if you’ve been affected. This includes making a harassment complaint against the officers responsible and seeking compensation through a civil action against the police.

A picture of the back two female police officers walking towards a protest in the background.

What is police harassment?

Police harassment refers to persistent targeting of an individual by police officers without any lawful basis – that is, it is not done as part of a criminal investigation or to prevent a crime.  This behaviour can be overt or subtle, and it can manifest in various ways, from verbal and physical actions to discriminatory practices. However it manifests, it is an abuse of power and a breach of your human rights.

Police harassment can be deeply traumatic and have long-lasting effects on victims. It can lead to anxiety and distress, reputational damage, financial losses and ongoing disruption to your life that may be hard to move past. And that’s why recognising the signs of police harassment is so important. It’s crucial for holding officers accountable and ensuring that everyone is treated with fairness and respect.

Let’s look more closely at some specific examples of police harassment to help you identify it more easily.

What counts as police harassment?

Police harassment is a broad category that covers a range of unwanted or persistent behaviour from police officers that makes you feel distressed, humiliated, or threatened. This can include:

  • Unlawful stop and search. The power to stop and search someone can only be used if there is a reasonable suspicion they are carrying a weapon, stolen goods, illegal drugs or something that has been used to commit a crime. If you are subject to repeated stops and searches without legitimate reason, this can be extremely distressing.
  • Verbal abuse or threats. Police officers are expected to treat members of the public with respect and dignity. If an officer speaks to you in an aggressive or abusive way, and particularly if they use discriminatory language, this may be an example of police harassment.
  • Excessive force. Police officers can only lawfully use force in certain circumstances – read our post on police assault claims for more information. Officers are not permitted to use force against you without justification and this force should not exceed what is necessary to achieve a lawful aim.
  • Malicious prosecution. In some extreme cases, individuals can be targeted for prosecution in bad faith. This may involve police officers fabricating evidence, making false statements, or failing to conduct a thorough investigation with the express purpose of prosecuting you.
  • Illegal surveillance. While the police can conduct surveillance in some specific circumstances, they cannot follow you, monitor your behaviour or otherwise conduct surveillance on you without a lawful reason to do so.

As you can see, police harassment can take many forms, and this is by no means an exhaustive list. Ultimately, any pattern of behaviour in which you are persistently targeted or monitored by the police without a legal justification may constitute harassment – and it’s essential you know what to do if you are affected.

A police car packed up on a pedestrian street with shops

What can I do if I’m being harassed by the police?

Police harassment is a serious matter and can have a devastating impact, affecting everything from your relationships to your career and your health. If you think you are being harassed by the police, it is important to seek redress. In this first instance, if you are currently experiencing ongoing harassment that is making you feel threatened or unsafe, you should seek immediate legal advice from a qualified solicitor.

The next step is to make a police complaint to the force responsible for your treatment. In most cases, the police force will have a page on their website that allows you to submit a complaint. Alternatively, you can submit a complaint using the form on the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) website. For more information on the police complaints process, read our post “How do I make a complaint against the police?”

Police complaints must be properly evaluated by the police. They must contact you to let you know what steps they are taking, including if they are conducting an investigation. Your complaint can lead to a number of outcomes, including:

  • The officer responsible undergoing training or being subject to disciplinary proceedings
  • The police force adopting new procedures to prevent further issues
  • A formal apology being offered for your treatment

Unfortunately, you cannot receive compensation as a result of a police complaint. Given that police harassment can have a serious impact on your life, leading to significant ill health or financial losses, this may be disappointing.

However, there are ways you can seek compensation if you have experienced police harassment – read on to find out more.

An image of three police officers stood outside policing a protest.

Can I seek compensation for police harassment?

Seeking compensation for police harassment involves taking the police force responsible for your treatment to court. This is called a civil action against the police, and will require the assistance of an experienced solicitor.

While this may sound like a major step to take, particularly if you are still struggling with the impact of police harassment, it can have significant benefits. By securing compensation, you will be able to offset any loss of earnings you might have experienced – if, for instance, you have been unable to work or lost job opportunities due to the harassment. It can also help cover medical expenses as you try to move past the incident.

By working with a solicitor who specialises in civil actions against the police, any impact on your life can be minimised. The solicitor will be able to prepare your case in the most effective way, including seeking necessary evidence or witness statements, while you focus on your recovery.

To get a sense of how much compensation you may be entitled to as a result of police harassment, read our police compensation payouts guide.

HNK Solicitors can support your claim against the police

Police harassment can be devastating. You may well find yourself feeling threatened or unsafe, particularly given the power that police officers hold. You may understandably fear long-lasting legal repercussions that can impact your reputation, your relationships, and your career.

By seeking compensation through a civil action against the police, you will be far better placed to move on with your life. Compensation doesn’t just act as an acknowledgment of the harm done to you – it can significantly contribute to your future recovery.

Here at HNK Solicitors, we’ve helped a great many clients to secure the compensation they are owed as a result of mistreatment by the police . Our experienced team has an in-depth understanding of the relevant regulations, and can provide a sensitive and trusted service during this trying time.

Our team provides free consultations to discuss your case, with no obligation to claim. So if you think you may have been mistreated by the police, , get in touch today. Call us on 0151 668 0809, or email us at enquiries@hnksolicitors.com.

Share article

News

Latest News

No Win No Fee, Free Consultation

Please fill out the form below to get started with your claim

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
Terms & Conditions
Skip to content