Lodged complaint with the police vs Lodged complaint to the police

Both phrases are commonly used, but 'lodged a complaint with the police' is more commonly used and considered more grammatically correct. 'Lodged a complaint to the police' is also used, but it is less common and may be considered less accurate in terms of preposition usage.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 682 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Lodged complaint with the police"

This phrase is used to indicate that a complaint has been formally submitted to the police for their attention or action.

Examples:

She lodged a complaint with the police about the noise disturbance.
The victim lodged a complaint with the police regarding the theft.
He lodged a complaint with the police station about the harassment.
They lodged a complaint with the police department about the vandalism.
The residents lodged a complaint with the police over the speeding cars.

Show examples from the web [+]

We've already lodged a complaint with the police, and so has Madeline.
Evidence suggests that some Irish and German policyholders have lodged complaints with the UK Financial Ombudsman Service.
Only recently have various third countries lodged complaints with the WTO against Regulation (CE) 753/2002 on the labelling of wine, since in practice, it does not authorise the use of the traditional Community terminology.
A number of sightholders have lodged complaints with the Commission regarding the compatibility of the system with the Community competition rules.
So Microsoft is not the only interesting company from the United States: there are a couple of other interesting companies that have lodged complaints with me.
My client's birth name was Ross Clayton McGowan, and this is to inform you that I have formally lodged complaints with the IPRA, the I.G.'s Office, and will be suing.
While it is true that some countries have lodged complaints with the WTO against the Community rules on wine labelling adopted in 2002, why did the Commission not at the very least wait to find out what the WTO has to say on the issue?
Did you file a criminal complaint with the police?
I can't arrest Jeff unless Brenda files a formal complaint with the police.
This woman was ordered to leave the country after she filed a complaint with the police.
Several employees lodged complaints against you for creating a hostile work environment.
Thereupon, other channels lodged complaints and the Court, unfortunately, held that we were wrong.
Several of them have even lodged complaints alleging breach of their rights.
Certain Western Balkan countries have lodged complaints or sought advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice.
This cooperation shall in particular include mutual exchange of information on practices in specific business sectors about which consumers have repeatedly lodged complaints.
Criticism has been levelled at the police for failing to register complaints lodged by the public.
Seven pilots who have lodged complaints have reportedly even been threatened with being moved to Lübeck if they do not withdraw their complaints and sign the clause in question.
In January 2004 the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) lodged complaints against several Member States for failure to implement the 112 call number correctly.
Importantly, FTC orders will continue to protect all consumers worldwide who interact with a business, not just those consumers who have lodged complaints.
Although the provision of support should not be dependent on victims making a complaint with regard to a criminal offence to a competent authority such as the police, such authorities are often best placed to inform victims of the possibility of support.

Alternatives:

filed a complaint with the police
submitted a complaint to the police
reported a complaint to the police
made a complaint to the police
brought a complaint to the police

This phrase is less common but still used in English.

"Lodged complaint to the police"

This phrase is also used to indicate that a complaint has been formally submitted to the police for their attention or action, but it may be considered less accurate in terms of preposition usage.

Examples:

She lodged a complaint to the police about the noise disturbance.
The victim lodged a complaint to the police regarding the theft.
He lodged a complaint to the police station about the harassment.
They lodged a complaint to the police department about the vandalism.
The residents lodged a complaint to the police over the speeding cars.

Show examples from the web [+]

We've already lodged a complaint with the police, and so has Madeline.
In doing so he examined the correspondence relating to the cases of 31 individuals who lodged complaints to the FOS and "who told EMAG that they had been dissatisfied with the performance by the FOS".
She made a complaint to the police about him, to a Detective Constable Charles O'Brien.
Evidence suggests that some Irish and German policyholders have lodged complaints with the UK Financial Ombudsman Service.
Several employees lodged complaints against you for creating a hostile work environment.
Thereupon, other channels lodged complaints and the Court, unfortunately, held that we were wrong.
Several of them have even lodged complaints alleging breach of their rights.
Certain Western Balkan countries have lodged complaints or sought advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice.
This cooperation shall in particular include mutual exchange of information on practices in specific business sectors about which consumers have repeatedly lodged complaints.
Criticism has been levelled at the police for failing to register complaints lodged by the public.
Only recently have various third countries lodged complaints with the WTO against Regulation (CE) 753/2002 on the labelling of wine, since in practice, it does not authorise the use of the traditional Community terminology.
A number of sightholders have lodged complaints with the Commission regarding the compatibility of the system with the Community competition rules.
So Microsoft is not the only interesting company from the United States: there are a couple of other interesting companies that have lodged complaints with me.
Seven pilots who have lodged complaints have reportedly even been threatened with being moved to Lübeck if they do not withdraw their complaints and sign the clause in question.
In January 2004 the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) lodged complaints against several Member States for failure to implement the 112 call number correctly.
Importantly, FTC orders will continue to protect all consumers worldwide who interact with a business, not just those consumers who have lodged complaints.
Out of all the women abused, 70% put up with the abuse in silence and only 30% decide to make a complaint to the police.
I am therefore obliged to repeat my question and ask who lodged complaints and what was their political affiliation at the time?
My client's birth name was Ross Clayton McGowan, and this is to inform you that I have formally lodged complaints with the IPRA, the I.G.'s Office, and will be suing.
Can the Commission confirm whether action has been taken by the MS following credible allegations of such violations, and without requiring the making of a formal complaint to the police by the individuals concerned?

Alternatives:

filed a complaint to the police
submitted a complaint with the police
reported a complaint with the police
made a complaint with the police
brought a complaint with the police

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Lodged complaint with the police vs Lodged complaint to the police