Help
Problems with Police
What to do if police hurt you, searched you unfairly or treated you badly at a gig or anywhere in NSW. Most of the legal help on this page is free.
Numbers to keep
000Call if you are in danger now.
(02) 9698 7277Redfern Legal Centre. Free advice about police for anyone in NSW.
1800 657 079Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Complaints about police.
1Right After It Happens
- If you are hurt, see a doctor as soon as you can. Take photos of any injuries.
- Ask the officers for their names and which police station they are from.
- Ask police to turn on their body camera. A friend can film from a safe distance.
- Write down what happened while you remember it: the date, time and place, what was said, what the officers looked like, and who saw it.
- Ask the venue or nearby shops in writing to keep their CCTV. Most footage is deleted after a short time.
- Get free legal advice before you complain, most of all if you were charged.
Source: Redfern Legal Centre, police powers and your rights.
2Searches at Gigs and Festivals
- A sniffer dog sitting next to you does not by itself give police the power to search you.
- If a search after a sniffer dog finds nothing, you don't have to give police your details.
- Police can strip search you only if they suspect on reasonable grounds that it's needed and that the situation is serious and urgent.
- In 2020 the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission found police often broke the legal rules for strip searches.
Free fact sheets from Redfern Legal Centre
3Free Legal Help
Redfern Legal CentreAll of NSW
- WhatFree, private advice about police harassment, searches, strip searches, arrests, force, fines, getting your police records, and complaints.
- WhoAnyone in NSW, for things that happened in the last six years.
- Call(02) 9698 7277. Monday to Thursday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm, Friday 10am to 12.30pm. For an interpreter call 131 450 first.
- Linkrlc.org.au
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACTFirst Nations
- WhatLegal help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Police must call the ALS every time they arrest an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and that person gets to speak with an ALS lawyer.
- Call1800 765 767, weekdays 9am to 5pm. Families worried about someone held by police can call too.
- AlsoFamilies after a death in custody can call the same number and ask for the Coronial Unit.
- Linkalsnswact.org.au
Legal Aid Youth HotlineUnder 18
- WhatLegal advice for young people in trouble with police or held in custody.
- Call1800 10 18 10. Weekdays 9am to midnight, and all day and night from Friday 9am to Sunday midnight and on public holidays.
- Linklegalaid.nsw.gov.au
Shopfront Youth Legal Centre25 and under
- WhatFree legal help for young people who are homeless or doing it tough, including with police.
- Call(02) 9322 4808, weekdays 9am to 5.30pm. 365 Crown St, Surry Hills.
- Linktheshopfront.org
Inner City Legal CentreLGBTQIA+
- WhatLegal advice for LGBTQIA+ people across NSW, including criminal law and discrimination. Free if you meet the income test.
- Call(02) 9332 1966, weekdays 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.
- Linkiclc.org.au
Women's Legal Service NSWWomen
- WhatFree legal help for women. It has a First Nations Women's Legal Program.
- Call02 8745 6988, or 1800 810 784 from regional NSW. First Nations women call 02 8745 6977 or 1800 639 784. Weekdays 9am to 4.30pm.
- Linkwlsnsw.org.au
LawAccess NSWFree
- WhatThe free phone line for Legal Aid NSW. It can connect you to a lawyer.
- Call1300 888 529, weekdays 9am to 5pm, or web chat.
- Linklegalaid.nsw.gov.au
Community legal centresNear you
- WhatFree local legal centres across NSW. Search by suburb.
- Linkfindlegalhelp.clcnsw.org.au
4Making a Complaint
Redfern Legal Centre suggests sending most complaints to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. You can ask for your police records first, and a legal centre can help you do that.
Law Enforcement Conduct CommissionLECC
- WhatSerious misconduct by NSW Police, such as assault or planting evidence.
- HowFill in the online form and attach photos or papers. An Easy Read form is also available. You can also email [email protected] or write to GPO Box 3880, Sydney NSW 2001.
- Call1800 657 079, weekdays 9am to 4pm. For an interpreter call 131 450.
- AlsoYou can complain without giving your name, or a lawyer or MP can complain for you. There is no time limit, but a complaint made soon after works best.
- NextThe Commission usually sends complaints to NSW Police to look into, and then checks how police dealt with it.
- Linklecc.nsw.gov.au
NSW Police Customer Assistance UnitLess serious
- WhatComplaints about how police treated you, such as rudeness or a poor response.
- HowUse the online form, email [email protected], or call 1800 622 571. You can complain without giving your name.
- WhenPolice reply within 7 business days.
- Linkpolice.nsw.gov.au
The NSW Ombudsman no longer takes complaints about police. Those go to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
5Support
Victims Services NSWFree
- WhatFree counselling and money help for people hurt by a violent crime. Nobody has to be charged. Call to ask whether what happened to you is covered.
- Call1800 633 063, or the Aboriginal Contact Line on 1800 019 123. Weekdays 9am to 5pm.
- WhenCounselling has no time limit. Apply for money help within two years.
- Linknsw.gov.au
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline24 hours
- WhatFree counselling for anyone working in music.
- Call1800 959 500. Press 3 for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander counsellor.
- Linksupportact.org.au
13YARN24 hours
- WhatCrisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Call13 92 76.
- Link13yarn.org.au
Lifeline24 hours
- Call13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14.
- Linklifeline.org.au