Request a Review

Complaints Investigated by a Police Service

If your complaint was investigated by a police service and either unsubstantiated or substantiated less serious and you disagree with the decision, you may ask the OIPRD to review the decision.

You must request a review within 30 days of receiving the decision from the police service.

To request a review, you must complete and submit a Request a Review form.

On the Request a Review form, please include the following information:

Reasons for requesting a review
Specify when and by what means you received the decision letter and Investigative Report from the police service
Specify the outcome you would like
Include any evidence that supports your request

Please remember to include your complaint number and sign the form. These materials are not to exceed 30 pages.

How Will the OIPRD Handle my Review?

When the OIPRD receives your completed Request a Review form, we will send you a letter confirming we have received your request. The OIPRD will then contact the police service to tell them you have requested a review and give them a copy of your form.

Upon review of the findings, the Director may:

Confirm the chief’s decision
Vary the chief’s decision
Direct the chief to deal with the complaint as the Director specifies
Assign the investigation to another service
Take over the investigation
Direct the chief to take other actions as the Director deems necessary or take action independently, including substituting his finding that misconduct was substantiated and directing the chief to hold a hearing

Complaints investigated by the OIPRD

You may not request a review of an investigative finding if the OIPRD conducted the investigation.

If you wish to appeal the decision, you must bring an application for a judicial review to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.