Feedback and complaints

Your right to complain

The AFP supports your right to complain. You can complain about:

the conduct or actions of individual AFP appointees, or
the practices and procedures of the AFP.

A complaint can be made even in circumstances where:

the conduct or actions of the appointee occurred outside of Australia
the appointee was off-duty and their conduct breaches the AFP professional standards, or
the complainant cannot fully identify the AFP appointee concerned.

How to complain

A complaint must be lodged directly with the AFP. A complaint can be lodged by:

completing an online form
attending or telephoning any AFP police station or office, or
contacting or writing to Professional Standards.

Complaint process

The AFP Professional Standards portfolio is responsible for the oversight and investigation of all complaints received by the AFP.

Minor complaints relating to discourtesy, minor misconduct and underperformance issues will be actioned by managers within the workplace and will generally involve an independent AFP appointee dealing directly with the complainant to resolve the issue.

Minor complaints can commonly be resolved through explanation of the law, explanation of police practice or by bringing the complainants concerns to the attention of the AFP appointee who is the subject of the complaint. The Professional Standards portfolio oversees outcomes of minor complaints.

Serious complaints will be investigated by Professional Standards.

The Commonwealth Law Enforcement Ombudsman is required to inspect AFP complaint records and report to the Australian Parliament, commenting on the adequacy and comprehensiveness of how the AFP has dealt with conduct and practices issues, as well as its handling of inquiries ordered by the relevant minister.

Complaints relating to corruption matters will be referred by the AFP Commissioner to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) for appropriate action.

Online forms

Complaints

These online forms may be used to lodge a complaint about the conduct or actions of individual AFP appointees, or the practices and procedures of the AFP.

Title	Description	More information
Complaint form	Complain about the conduct of an AFP appointee, providing your own contact details.	See Professional standards
Complaint form - on behalf of	Complain about the conduct of an AFP appointee on behalf of someone else.	See Professional standards
Complaint form - anonymous	Complain about the conduct of an AFP appointee anonymously.	See Professional standards

It is important to ensure that all fields are completed with as much information as possible to avoid any unnecessary delay in processing your form.

If you have difficulties completing the forms, please contact AFP Professional Standards.

Positive feedback

Use this form to provide positive feedback in relation to an AFP appointee. Alternatively you may attend or telephone any AFP police station or office, or write to AFP Professional Standards.

Title	Description	More information
Online feedback form	Provide positive feedback about an AFP appointee.	See Professional standards

Contact

Professional Standards Operations Monitoring Centre

Professional Standards Operations Monitoring Centre
PO Box 401
Canberra City ACT 2601

Ph: (02) 6131 6789

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