IOPC annual report on police complaints
Donna Jones, Chair of the APCC responds to the IOPC annual report on police complaints:
“The increased number of complaints reflects the public response following high-profile cases involving police officers which impacted public confidence in policing but can also be attributed to improvements in the recording of complaints, and greater transparency around the process.
‘While we welcome improvements in the time taken to handle complaints informally, lengthy investigations have an enormous impact on complainants, officers, and confidence in the system. There needs to be a continued focus across the system on improving the time taken to resolve complaints.
“It’s incredibly important that the public has recourse to an open, efficient and timely complaints process which is why Police and Crime Commissioners would also support increased central funding for complaint handling and additional civilian roles to support the increase in frontline policing and demonstrate the sector’s commitment to addressing and improving public confidence.’’
NB: IOPC - The Independent Office for Police Conduct
Donna Jones is Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.