Complex police complaints
Overly complex and technical language in police complaints and discipline systems, leading to public disengagement.
88 items
5 sources
4 inquiries
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#11 - Police complaints system language remains overly complex, reducing public confidence
The Government’s recent changes to the police complaints and discipline systems were intended to simplify and speed up the process. Nonetheless, the language used to explain systems to members of the public who wish to make complaints remains too complex and too technical: this contributes to public disengagement and lack of confidence in the system. (Paragraph 80) 48...
Matched on
terms: complaint, complex, police
Committee recommendation
100match
#1 - Public perceives police misconduct complaints as over-complex, lengthy, and unlikely to result in significant action.
It is an inevitable part of any complaints system that those whose complaints are not upheld will be discontented. There is none the less a perception that complaints against police officers are unlikely to succeed and that investigations are over- complex, take too long and frequently result in limited action against even officers found to have committed misconduct.
Matched on
terms: complaint, complex, police
Committee recommendation
94match
#32 - Persistent concerns regarding delays, complexity, and inconsistency in police investigations.
It is troubling, nine years on from the Committee’s last report on this topic, that concerns are still raised about delays to investigations that detrimentally affect people’s lives, about complexity of language and processes, and about inconsistency in updating and supporting officers and complainants during investigations. (Paragraph 154) Police Conduct and Complaints 51
Matched on
terms: complaint, complex, police
Committee recommendation
86match
#12 - Require police stakeholders to publish plain language versions of complaints systems
The police complaints system needs to be simpler and more transparent. We welcome IOPC statutory guidance which encourages forces to use accessible language and formats to explain the system, but it is not evident that all forces are yet doing this. All key stakeholders in the policing sphere (IOPC, NPCC, forces, CoP and the CPS) should be required...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
82match
#27 - Urge IOPC to proactively communicate and defend its police complaint decisions.
The IOPC has a statutory duty to uphold confidence in the police complaints system; and we urge the IOPC to embrace this role and to proactively communicate and defend the decisions it makes. (Paragraph 142) 50 Police Conduct and Complaints
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
82match
#26 - IOPC needs to improve defence of its police complaint decisions for public confidence.
Evidence to our inquiry suggests the IOPC could do better in defending its role in police complaint decisions which, though they may not always be amenable to forces or police associations, must be accepted and acted upon if public confidence in accountability in policing is to be improved.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
82match
#9 - PCCs have enhanced opportunities to improve police complaints through new models and scrutiny
We note enhanced opportunities for PCCs to play a greater role in the local complaints process following reforms introduced in 2020. The three models present a unique opportunity for PCCs, as part of their complaint-handling responsibilities, to support proactively and systemically more effective complaints systems within their forces, although nothing in what they do should delay complaint-handling processes...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
82match
#5 - Operation Midland failures reveal urgent need for robust police complaints system accountability.
The sorry story of Operation Midland and subsequent inquiries into how it was conducted demonstrates why a robust complaints and conduct system is necessary if the public is to be confident that police officers behave properly and will be held to account and suitably sanctioned if they do not. Lady Brittan’s account of how she— the wife of...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
78match
#7 - Consider police complaints within the ongoing PCC model review and assess PCC involvement
We urge the Government to consider police complaints as part of the review of the PCC model currently under way and to make an early assessment of PCC involvement in the police complaints system.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
73match
#4 - Many complainants remain unsatisfied with police and IOPC investigations into officer misconduct and sanctions applied.
Each complaint has unique features, and we have heard from a significant number of people whose dealings with police forces, the IOPC or its predecessor have left them unsatisfied with the investigation of their complaints or the level of sanction applied to officers found to have misconducted themselves. This includes cases of people whose family members or friends...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
73match
#10 - Fund PCCs adequately to implement Models 2 or 3 for complaint-handling roles
We urge the Government to fund PCCs adequately to take on Models 2 or 3 as a minimum requirement in their complaint-handling roles. This will provide PCCs the opportunity to work more closely with their forces, for example, to record and systematically monitor the root causes of complaints and recurrent issues that affect their communities disproportionately and how...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
70match
#13 - Tax system complexity drives evasion, errors, increased costs, and greater customer contact.
We asked HMRC what areas of the tax system need to be addressed to achieve efficiencies. HMRC said the tax system is very complex, which generates opportunities for evasion and avoidance, can cause errors and increase costs through greater customer contact, as taxpayers seek reassurance from HMRC on what they need to do.21 It explained that it can...
Matched on
terms: complex
Committee recommendation
69match
#8 - Government failing to adequately monitor and encourage new PCC complaint models
It may be too soon to understand whether PCC involvement in the police complaints system is realising the benefits the Government hoped for, but we are concerned that the Government is not doing enough to monitor implementation of the new PCC complaint models or to encourage their uptake.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
65match
#28 - IOPC learning recommendations to police forces lack effective follow-up monitoring.
We are concerned that IOPC learning recommendations made to police forces across England and Wales to improve policies and practice in the handling of police complaints are not monitored for follow-up action. We have heard of a lack of clarity about how recommendations are monitored, and whether forces implement them. Even where the IOPC makes key recommendations, and...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
PSOW-202206432 - South Wales Police and Crime Panel
Mr Y complained that the South Wales Police and Crime Panel had failed to respond to his complaint submitted in March 2022. In considering the complaint the Ombudsman was concerned about the delays and that Mr Y had been inconvenienced by the Panel’s failure to provide a response. As an alternative to an investigation, she asked the Panel...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
201508353 - Police Investigations & Review Commissioner
Mrs C made a complaint on behalf of her stepson (Mr A). He was unhappy with Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC)'s response to his service complaint about the way they dealt with a complaint about Police Scotland. In particular, Mr A said that in replying to his concerns, PIRC failed to follow statutory guidance and provided unreasonable...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
201003706 - Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland
The complainant, Mrs C, raised a large number of concerns about a review carried out by the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS). If a member of the public has concerns about the way a police force has dealt with a complaint they are entitled to ask the PCCS to carry out a review of the force's complaints...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
62match
#14 - Complex patchwork of CIL coverage and charging schedules across England lacks transparency.
Around half of local planning authorities have adopted CIL, and its uptake has remained broadly unchanged for several years. There has been little progress towards addressing the complex patchwork of CIL coverage and charging schedules across England in the years since the 2016 CIL Review Group report. This complexity is further exacerbated by a lack of transparency of...
Matched on
terms: complex
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
25-000-781 - Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner
Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the conduct of the Police and Crime Commissioner because it relates to underlying policing matters, including the investigation of crime. We have no power to investigate these matters. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Authority’s complaint handling because there is no worthwhile outcome we can achieve.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
59match
#31 - IOPC has made efforts to build public trust through increased transparency.
The IOPC has made concerted efforts in its first three years to build public trust in the police complaints system by actively listening to policing bodies and communities about their concerns and by providing greater transparency in the publication of the outcome of its investigations.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
PFD report
57match
Gregory Rewkowski
The coroner notes practical difficulties for nurses raising welfare concerns on an acute ward, unclear reasons for the clinical lead's inaction, failure to escalate to a senior manager, restrictions on ward telephones, limited NWAS investigation, and concerns about police handling of Section 136 cases.
Matched on
terms: police
PFD report
57match
Nicola Forster
A culture of institutional defensiveness and poor management persists within the Metropolitan Police Service, with junior officers fearing speaking out and senior management failing to address concerns independently.
Matched on
terms: police
PFD report
57match
Martin Stubbs
Significant and unexplained delays in an internal police disciplinary process are concerning, failing to meet the expectation of timely resolution and potentially contributing to a future death.
Matched on
terms: police
PFD report
57match
Alfie Lawless
Greater Manchester Police significantly delayed classifying a death as a "Death or Serious Injury" incident, raising concerns about the quality of their internal review and learning from incidents.
Matched on
terms: police
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
24-011-834 - Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Authority’s consideration of X’s complaint against police. Because we cannot investigate the substantive matters that X initially complained about, we cannot carry out any meaningful investigation and there is no worthwhile outcome we can achieve.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Inquiry recommendation
53match
COVID-M2.4 - Publish Technical Advice During Emergencies
During a whole-system civil emergency, the UK government and devolved administrations should each routinely publish technical advice on scientific, economic and social matters at the earliest opportunity, as well as the minutes of expert advisory groups – except where there are good reasons that prevent publication, such as commercial confidentiality, personal safety or national security, or because legal...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#25 - Ensure Home Office super-complaints website highlights designated body collaboration with non-designated groups.
We urge the Home Office to highlight, on its super-complaints’ website, that the 16 designated bodies should collaborate with non-designated bodies as appropriate to make a complaint on matters raised by non-designated bodies. Clarity of information is essential to ensure that the process is accessible to all groups and interests.
Matched on
terms: complaint
Committee recommendation
52match
#44 - Police forces' inconsistent data collection obscures ethnic disparity in misconduct cases.
It is completely unacceptable that forces’ data on ethnic disparity in police misconduct has been inconsistent and incomplete to the point where it cannot be understood or acted upon. We are appalled that it has not been possible for us even to assess the extent of racial disparities in the misconduct system fully due to inadequacies The Macpherson...
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
52match
#24 - Home Office pledge to broaden super-complaints designated bodies is welcomed.
We welcome the super-complaints process and are encouraged by the Home Office’s pledge to review the designated bodies that can submit super-complaints on systemic issues in policing to include a broader range of organisations, including disability organisations.
Matched on
terms: complaint
Committee recommendation
52match
#9 - Protracted Section 106 negotiations causing significant delays to housing delivery.
Local planning authorities across England have expressed concern that protracted Section 106 negotiations are causing delays to housing delivery. Drawn out negotiations do not benefit public outcomes and cause undue delays to development, which may impede the Government’s housebuilding ambitions. Whilst we recognise the Minister for Housing and Planning’s concerns that introducing a dispute resolution scheme may add...
Matched on
terms: complex
LGO / SPSO decision
51match
22-010-369 - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of a Police and Crime Commissioner reviewing complaints about a police force in relation to a criminal investigation. We have no jurisdiction to investigate this matter.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
LGO / SPSO decision
51match
22-006-963 - Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Police and Crime Commissioner. This is because the complaint relates to the investigation of a crime.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
LGO / SPSO decision
51match
23-018-807 - Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about how the Police and Crime Commissioner dealt with complaints about police action. We cannot investigate matters about the prevention and detection of crime.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Inquiry recommendation
48match
DM-12 - Resources for tackling police corruption
The Metropolitan Police must ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to the task of tackling corrupt behaviour among its officers. Without proper resources there can be no effective fight against corruption. Since the Independent Office for Police Conduct has responsibility for investigating such matters, it must also be properly resourced to do so.
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
48match
#3 - IOPC should widen investigator pool to include candidates with non-police investigative experience.
The question arose during our inquiry whether the IOPC should be staffed by investigators who were not former police officers. Opinion divided on whether those who had served in the police should be excluded for potentially ‘marking their own homework’ or that of their colleagues. On the other side of the argument, ex-police officers bring the skills learned...
Matched on
terms: police
LGO / SPSO decision
48match
21-001-854 - Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Summary: Mr X complained about how the Police and Crime Commissioner handled his contacts about the actions of officers of a police force, including those delegated to take actions on behalf of the Chief Constable. The Ombudsman’s decision is we should end our investigation. This is because Mr X is asking the Commissioner to respond to issues which...
Matched on
terms: police
Inquiry recommendation
48match
MACP-10 - Disclose investigating officers' reports to complainants, subject only to substantial harm test
That Investigating Officers' reports resulting from public complaints should not attract Public Interest Immunity as a class. They should be disclosed to complainants, subject only to the "substantial harm" test for withholding disclosure.
Matched on
terms: complaint
Committee recommendation
48match
#7 - Repetitive protests significantly strain police resources, impacting other duties and officer wellbeing.
The repetitive nature of the recent large Israel-Gaza protests places considerable resource constraints on the police. This places additional pressure on the Met, which, having failed to meet the Uplift target, already struggles to meet the regular demands of policing London. The protests further drain police resource with more than 4,000 cancelled rest-days, and the same police officers...
Matched on
terms: police
LGO / SPSO decision
47match
22-008-531 - Transport for London
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that he was assaulted by enforcement agents acting on behalf of Transport for London. This is because the police and the courts are better placed to consider the issue.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
Committee recommendation
45match
#5 - Develop and publish Section 106 template clauses to streamline negotiations for local authorities.
As part of the site thresholds consultation that will take place later this year, the Ministry must seek views on how standardised Section 106 templates could most effectively streamline the negotiation process across sites of all sizes. Based on the consultation responses, the Ministry must work with the Planning Advisory Service to develop a suite of Section 106...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
44match
#29 - 4th Report - Covid-19 and the criminal law
For covid-19 related offences a recipient of a fixed penalty notice, who does not pay the fine within 28 days should be told promptly if a police force decides not to charge. A recipient of a fixed penalty notice should also be told when the limitation period for prosecution will expire.
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
44match
#28 - 4th Report - Covid-19 and the criminal law
We acknowledge the policing Minister’s point about proportionality but are concerned that the review process for covid-19 related fixed penalty notices was inconsistently applied by different police forces and unclear. For future use of fixed penalty notices the Government should ensure that the review process that enables an individual to challenge a notice without risking a criminal prosecution...
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
44match
#45 - Progress addressing ethnic disparity in police misconduct requires consistent monitoring and a future audit.
We take some encouragement from the NPCC’s national review into ethnic disparity in police misconduct and the work done by some individual forces to attempt to close the gap. The follow-up work from this review which has been reported to us in 2021 shows that the NPCC has recognised and accepts the need to prioritise correction of these...
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
44match
#43 - Racial disparity in police officer dismissals and disciplinary processes remains persistent.
There is clear racial disparity in the number of officers being dismissed from police forces—BME officers are more than twice as likely to be dismissed as White officers— and in the number of BME officers and staff being subjected to internal disciplinary processes. We welcome the recent work by the NPCC to instigate reforms. However it is extremely...
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
44match
#9 - Resource demands from protests highlight urgent need for a national police workforce plan.
Following the policing priorities inquiry, we concluded that it was no longer sufficient for individual police forces to design their own workforce plans and recommended that the Home Office set out and implement a national workforce strategy that addresses officer and staff numbers and skills. The resource demands of the policing of recent protests demonstrate again that a...
Matched on
terms: police
Inquiry recommendation
43match
JB-15.25 - Simple misconduct allegations to survive officer resignation
Serious consideration should be given to the public interest in amending the current legislation so that allegations of 'simple' misconduct, as distinct from 'gross' misconduct, will survive following a police officer's resignation or retirement. I do not recommend that the survival of allegations of simple misconduct carries with it any threat to a pension entitlement, but any post-resignation/retirement...
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
43match
#25 - Require police and CPS to publish analysed data on Victims' Right to Review Scheme.
Given some victims and survivors’ negative experiences of the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme, we agree with Rape Crisis England and Wales that the Government require the police and the CPS to publish data covering how many cases are submitted for review, how many decisions are upheld and how many reconsidered, and the reasons for these review decisions....
Matched on
terms: police
Committee recommendation
43match
#23 - IOPC thematic reviews demonstrate potential to improve public confidence and policing practice.
We welcome the IOPC’s work on thematic reviews, specifically its aim to identify systemic learning by taking on more independent investigations in these areas and to improve public confidence in policing and the wider system. Ultimately, the result of such thematic reviews should be manifest in increased public confidence in how the police deal with these issues. This...
Matched on
terms: police
LGO / SPSO decision
42match
24-000-023 - Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about actions taken against him by the police which he believes are the result of a campaign against him by a council officer acting as Police and Crime Commissioner. There is no evidence to show the action taken against Mr X was directed by the Police and Crime Commissioner and if...
Matched on
terms: complaint, police
LGO / SPSO decision
42match
24-014-174 - Oxford City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council reporting the complainant to the Police. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
Matched on
terms: complaint, police