AIBU to complain about historic police treatment? [MNHQ - OP has asked us to add trigger warning]

[Winter7]

I was the victim of a very traumatic crime a number of years ago and reported this to the police. I know that this was investigated to some degree as friends were interviewed as part of this. This was the last I ever heard about it. No update. No t told the case had (presumably) been dropped. The crime itself has massively impacted on my life but I have also strughled with an overwhelming feeling of not being believed due to my police experience.
My AIBU is wanting to make an official complaint to try and move on from this. I feel so let down by the system and want to be heard and for this to be aknowledged.
Thanks for reading.

Its not at all unreasonable to complain about it

I'm sorry to hear this happened

Thank you, MNHQ

I think you should pursue this, yes. Do you need help to navigate the system, or do you know the procedures?

Yes. I have needed to complain in the past in order to move forward. No closure is impossible to move on from.

I have no idea where to start. I've thought about complaining for years but wasn't sure if my experience was just the norm. Or if I would open myself up for further upset. I now feel at a stage where my anger is outwieghing the fear, which I feel is now the time to take some action.

Thanks for your replies

If you feel it would help then you should how long ago did it happen

17 years ago.

Just bear in mind after that length of time the officers involved will very possibly have retired so if getting answers from them personally is important you may be disappointed. If however it's just for details about the enquiry they should be on the reports etc.

I hope if you do.pursue it they can help you

You'll need to try to remember approx dates, the name of the force / police / any officers involved. Do you have that level of detail?

First step is to contact the force and start with their complaints system. There will be a department who does internal investigations. Serious complaints will be forwarded to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by the force if you are in England and Wales. Similar bodies exist for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This is a guide to the system, published by the IPCC. www.ipcc.gov.uk/Documents/publications/A_guide_to_the_police_complaints_system_leaflet.PDF

Best of luck and good wishes for healing and justice. Have you spoken to Victim Support for advice and support? ❤️

She won't need the officers details. Details of when the crime occurred and her name dob will be enough to search the systems.

I know the date and which ststion I went to. That is all. I literally never heard from thrm again. It was so awful, building up to that point and then the waiting. Waiting so long that you eventually hope they don't get back as you want it to dosappear. Then realisong someone, somewhere dismissed you. Feeling so utterly unimportant and powerless.
I guess I want an apology from someone. An explanation as to why this was their response. An understanding of what went wrong, or to tell them it's not ok if this is the norm.

That's all you need. I'd suggest going into your local office (assuming it's in the correct Force area) Ask to speak to the Duty Inspector and get the ball rolling from there

Hi Winter7, I'm in sort of the same boat. My drink was spiked 13 years ago and recently I've been feeling really angry about the way it was dealt with. I've been in contact with the Police and in my case they wilfully went out of their way to not out his name on. I'm in the process of making a complaint to the Police. If it's right for you, do it. You have every right to look in to it. Just doing this has made me feel so much more in control. Best of luck xx

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. Please pursue a complaint. Wishing you all the best.

I'm so sorry you have had a similar experience Andro. I really hope that things move in a better direction for you now. Xx

Thanks to you all for your kindness and advice. I may contact Victim Support and will think about contacting the Police directly. Just takes me back though to the first time I went do not easy.

Hugs. Take someone with you for support if you go to the police. Remember that there have been many changes in the police since then due to various investigations and official reports (I used to work for a national police body) and you are very likely to be treated with far more consideration and kindness now. If it is possible to pursue a case against your attacker now, you will be interviewed by specially trained officers who will try to make things as easy as possible for you. ❤️

Thank you, Paws. That's helpful advice and I do hope things have changed for the better