NPCC open to new ideas on stop and search accountability

Following suggestions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, Adam Simmonds, about reforms to stop and search powers, including a proposal for officers found to have unreasonably used the power to personally apologise to the subject of the stop and search, the National Police Chiefs' Council Lead on the topic, Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock, has responded.

DCC Hanstock said:

“Stop and Search Panels (SSPs) are a valuable way for communities to advise us on how we are using stop and search.

“I welcome the idea of an officer and someone who has been stopped and searched being able to exchange their points of view in a less formal setting to resolve a complaint. This means we can make an apology at an earlier opportunity if appropriate, learn lessons from the experience to improve our approach and demonstrate to communities that we are accountable.

“If the Northamptonshire PCC plans to pilot this in his force area, I would be interested in any findings and keen to consider how they might be introduced in other parts of the country.”

ENDS

Further information: Adam Simmonds's comments can be found here

Contact information

Communications office
By phone: 0800 538 5058
By email: press.office@npcc.police.uk