FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A POLICE OFFICER
Excessive force, profiling, lack of respect, abuse of power — the Police Ethics Commissioner is the independent body that receives complaints against police officers in Quebec. The service is free, and you have the right to submit the facts.
VERSION FRANÇAISE →Have you been a victim or witness to inappropriate police behaviour? You are not alone. The Police Ethics Commissioner is an independent government body responsible for receiving and reviewing complaints against Quebec police officers, wildlife protection officers, special constables, highway controllers, and UPAC investigators who may have violated the Code of ethics of Quebec police officers.
This guide shows you how to organize your facts, draft your complaint with the help of AI, and submit it directly to the Commissioner — in four simple steps.
When to file a complaint — the most common grounds
The vast majority of police interventions are conducted with respect for citizens' rights. But when that is not the case, several situations can justify filing a complaint with the Police Ethics Commissioner.
Use of greater force than necessary to carry out the intervention, threats, intimidation or harassment toward a citizen.
Words or actions based on race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, religion, language, age, social condition, ethnic origin or disability.
Obscene or insulting language, lack of politeness, refusal to identify oneself with an official document when asked, or manifest arrogance.
Unjustified arrest, abusive search, charges brought without reasonable grounds, detention for questioning without arrest, abuse of power.
You have one year after the date of the event — or after becoming aware of it — to file your complaint. In exceptional circumstances, the Commissioner may accept a late complaint, but it is strongly recommended to act quickly to preserve evidence (videos, witnesses, body cameras).
Complaint or report? Only individuals directly targeted by a police intervention or who witnessed it can file a complaint. Any other person (for example, someone who read about an incident in the media) may submit a report, which will be reviewed by the Commissioner under the same criteria.
If the police intervention caused serious injury or death, or involved a firearm, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) is automatically seized of the matter. In such cases, you can still file an ethics complaint in parallel.
The guide in 4 simple steps
Take detailed notes as soon as possible
As soon as possible after the incident, open a document and write down all the details of the event while it is fresh in your memory. Be precise and factual. Include these essential elements:
Quickly retrieve video evidence
Footage from police body cameras, neighbouring business cameras or traffic cameras is often deleted after a few days or weeks. If you know that a video of the incident exists, file your complaint quickly so the Commissioner can recover this evidence before it is lost. Also list all individuals who witnessed the event, with their contact information.
Ask Claude to draft your complaint
Open Claude — or Gemini or ChatGPT — and paste your facts with this prompt:
The AI will draft a structured initial version that connects your facts to the ethical obligations of police officers — without you needing to master the law. Read it carefully and verify that all facts are accurate before moving on to the next step.
Submit your complaint to the Commissioner
You can file your complaint in several ways. The simplest is the online form on the Commissioner's website. You can also send it by email, by mail, or make an appointment to file it orally by phone.
The service is entirely free. Once the complaint is received, the Commissioner will contact you to confirm receipt and decide on the method of processing: conciliation, investigation, or preliminary rejection.
What if the Commissioner decides to reject your complaint?
If the Commissioner decides to close your file before an investigation is completed, you may request a review of that decision. The request must be made in writing and submitted within 15 days of receiving the decision. You must submit new facts or new elements.
You have 15 days to request a review of the rejection decision. Do not let this deadline pass.
The decision rendered on review by the Commissioner is final. It is important to know that if your complaint is heard by the Police Ethics Tribunal, only the Commissioner and the police officer concerned can appeal the decision — the citizen complainant does not have this right directly. You can, however, present your point of view in writing to the Commissioner, within 20 days of notification, to suggest that they appeal.
What AI does — and what it does not do
AI helps you organize your facts and draft a clear and professional document. It does not give you legal advice and does not replace a legal professional.
If you are seeking financial compensation for police misconduct, an ethics complaint is not the right recourse — it aims at the disciplinary sanction of the officer, not your compensation. For compensation, you must consider a civil lawsuit or a complaint to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse if you are a victim of discrimination or racial profiling.
If your situation is complex or if you are eligible, legal aid can cover your lawyer's fees.
Ready to submit your complaint?
START MY COMPLAINT TO THE COMMISSIONER →Your complaint deserves to be heard
The Police Ethics Commissioner exists to ensure independent civilian oversight of police conduct. If a police officer has failed in their ethical obligations toward you, you not only have the right to file a complaint — you have the responsibility to do so, for yourself and for all citizens who could find themselves in the same situation. Write down the facts, draft your complaint with the help of AI, and submit it quickly. The service is free. The rest is up to the Commissioner.
An error to report? Information to add or a question about this guide? Write to us at justice-quebec@outlook.com — we read every message.