ACPO comment on IPCC report on Police Complaints: statistics for England and Wales 2010/11

ACPO lead for complaints and misconduct, Deputy Chief Constable John Feavyour, said:

“Police officers have thousands of interactions with members of the public each day and most end well. Satisfaction about contact with the police continues to rise, to 76% this year as measured by the IPCC.

“When contact doesn’t end well, complaints are a vital part of understanding what went wrong and how it can be put right. That’s why we welcome the fact that while satisfaction has improved, the number of complaints recorded by police has risen 100% over the past seven years, despite a decline in 2010/11. The police service cannot continue to improve without feedback and we need the public to continue to come forward. This report shows that the service has more work to do to, particularly in the initial recording of complaints to ensure that the system reflects the seriousness and value that the police attaches to feedback.

“When a formal procedure is necessary, we need to look at how we can improve timeliness of the response. But there are also positive indications in the report that where the public express concern or criticism, forces are responding with better information, explanation and apologies. In many cases this approach offers a common sense and timely solution which avoids cost and bureaucracy.”

Ends

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk