View all frequently asked questions about filing a complaint about the police.
The complaints procedure is designed to handle complaints from citizens about police officers in a professional, thorough, and transparent manner. This helps build trust, learn from mistakes, and improve the quality of our work.
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction directed against a specific conduct of a police officer who falls under the authority of the chief of police.
The competent authority is the Chief of Police of the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force (KPCN). He is supported by a complaints coordinator and, in the formal phase, by an independent complaints committee.
You can file a complaint using the complaint form . You can also take your complaint in person to one of the police stations on the various islands: Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar #4, Kralendijk, Bonaire; Samuel A. Charles Street #1, The Bottom, Saba; or Father van Tefelenweg #10, Oranjestad, Sint-Eustatius.
No, it is necessary that you provide your full name and address. Without this information, the complaint cannot be processed.
Yes, an oral complaint can be put in writing at the request of the complainant if this cannot reasonably be expected of the complainant himself.
You will receive a confirmation of receipt within three business days. The complaints coordinator will then discuss the following with you:
- The content and purpose of your complaint.
- Whether your complaint can be handled.
- How the process continues.
Read more about the complaints procedure .
The complaints coordinator will attempt to reach a resolution through mediation between you and the police officer involved. This meeting may lead to:
- Resolution and closure of the complaint.
- The decision to move to formal treatment.
If the informal handling process is not satisfactory, the complaint will be handled by an independent complaints committee. This committee advises the chief of police, who will make a formal decision.
The chief of police may decide that your complaint:
- Well-founded: your complaint is justified.
- Unfounded: Your complaint is not justified.
- No judgment: a decision is not possible.
- Inadmissible: your complaint does not meet the requirements.
If a complaint is justified and reveals serious shortcomings, it may lead to a separate internal investigation. Any disciplinary measures fall outside the complaints procedure itself and are taken in accordance with internal guidelines.
The informal phase lasts a maximum of 10 weeks. If the complaint is formally handled, the entire procedure can take up to 18 weeks.
Yes, you can withdraw your complaint at any time. This will close the complaints procedure.
You can submit the Chief of Police's decision to the National Ombudsman.