Organization : Garda Ombudsman
Service Name : Make Complaint Online
Country: Ireland
Website : http://www.gardaombudsman.ie/complaints/complainhow.html
Make Complaint Online :
Who can complain?:
If you are directly affected by what you believe is misconduct of a member of the Garda Síochána, you can complain to the Garda Ombudsman.
Related : Office of the Ombudsman Online Complaint Form Ireland : www.statusin.org/7148.html
You can also make a complaint if you are a direct witness to such behaviour.
In many circumstances you can complain on someone’s behalf, if you have their consent.
What is the time limit?:
Generally complaints are expected within 12 months of the incident in question.
The Garda Ombudsman may extend this time limit if it considers that there are good reasons for doing so, for example if information leading you to complain only came to light in the last 12 months.
How do I make a complaint?:
** Complete the online complaint form
** Print form, complete and post to Garda Ombudsman, 150 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1, D01 FT73 or fax to 01-8147023
** Email complaints@gsoc.ie
** Call into our office at 150 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1, D01 FT73 (where someone will help you complete a form)
** At any Garda Station (where they will ask you to fill a form and give you a copy)
When a completed complaint form is received, the Garda Ombudsman will issue a receipt acknowledging the complaint within a week.
While it is not possible to make a complaint by phone or by Twitter, GSOC casework staff are available 9.30am-1pm Monday to Friday to answer any questions, on LoCall 1890 600 800 or 01 8716 727.
How we Deal with Complaints:
Will my complaint be examined?:
Your complaint will be admissible for examination if:
** You were directly affected, or directly witnessed the behaviour complained of
** The alleged behaviour is considered as misbehaviour
** The complaint is made within 12 months of the incident
** The complaint is not false or misleading
Dealing with your complaint:
If your complaint is admissible it will be dealt with in one of the following ways:
** Mediation or informal resolution
** Garda investigation with reporting to Garda Ombudsman
** Garda investigation supervised by Garda Ombudsman
** Garda Ombudsman investigation (all allegations of criminal behaviour)
Possible outcomes:
** A solution to the satisfaction of all parties may be found through informal resolution
** If it appears that there may have been a breach under the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations, the Garda Ombudsman may make recommendations to the Garda Commissioner concerning disciplinary proceedings
** If it appears that the case may warrant criminal prosecution, the Garda Ombudsman may send a file to the Director for Public Prosecutions
** If there is insufficient evidence to support one of the above, the case may have to be discontinued
False or misleading information:
It is an offence to knowingly supply “false or misleading information” in relation to complaints. If found guilty of this, you are liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €2,500, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.