The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Police arrest. That is because we have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about action taken by the Police in connection to the investigation or prevention of crime.
The complaint
Ms X complained the Police wrongly arrested her after she placed an emergency call for help. She said the Police based their decision on false statements. She said the Police took three months to decide they were not taking further action. She said the events had caused her severe personal distress.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate a complaint if it is about action taken by or on behalf of any local policing body in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, Section 26, paragraph 2 as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Authority.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We cannot investigate this complaint. That is because the law says we cannot investigate complaints about action taken by the Police in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is outside our jurisdiction.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman