Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
14
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
Evidence to our inquiry suggests that insufficient focus is given to the staffing and operation of some professional standards departments including their culture, transparency and ethnic diversity representation.
Government response AI summary
The government recognises the risk of a lack of appropriate representation in professional standards departments and commits to outlining urgent actions regarding ethnic minority staffing disparities in a future response to the Macpherson report.
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Home Office
18
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
The example of its taking seven years to clear one police officer of misconduct is exceptional, but demonstrates why the IOPC must focus its efforts on concluding investigations as quickly as possible. Quite aside from the effect on an individual’s morale, the removal from officers under investigation from front-line duties …
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The example of its taking seven years to clear one police officer of misconduct is exceptional, but demonstrates why the IOPC must focus its efforts on concluding investigations as quickly as possible. Quite aside from the effect on an individual’s morale, the removal from officers under investigation from front-line duties for lengthy periods may add to strain on police resources. The IOPC must also take care that its power to reinvestigate cases already concluded locally is used sparingly and when there is a clear public interest in undertaking further inquiry.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes IOPC progress in minimizing investigation delays but agrees more can be done, highlighting revised IOPC guidance for police witnesses. It expresses a desire for improved cooperation from police organizations and mentions wider work on misconduct statistics and the Angiolini Inquiry.
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Home Office
19
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
It is unsatisfactory and unedifying to hear policing organisations blame the IOPC for delay while the IOPC suggests officers may drag their heels in cooperating with investigations. Nor is it wholly sufficient for Chief Constable Guildford to suggest Police Conduct and Complaints 49 the IOPC could resolve some of that …
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It is unsatisfactory and unedifying to hear policing organisations blame the IOPC for delay while the IOPC suggests officers may drag their heels in cooperating with investigations. Nor is it wholly sufficient for Chief Constable Guildford to suggest Police Conduct and Complaints 49 the IOPC could resolve some of that dilemma by using its powers more vigorously; police officers should not need to be forced to cooperate with conduct investigations.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the issue of delays and cooperation, noting the IOPC's efforts, including revised guidance for witnesses. It expresses disappointment with the Police Federation's stance but looks forward to working with police forces to improve cooperation.
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Home Office
21
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
The IOPC must use its powers effectively to minimise delays to investigations at an early stage of the process. It should proactively call to account those responsible for delays or who refuse to co-operate with investigations. Police forces, individual officers and their representative organisations must also take more responsibility for …
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The IOPC must use its powers effectively to minimise delays to investigations at an early stage of the process. It should proactively call to account those responsible for delays or who refuse to co-operate with investigations. Police forces, individual officers and their representative organisations must also take more responsibility for rooting out bad behaviour and lifting the cloud of complaint against officers who have done their exceptionally difficult job properly.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes IOPC progress on minimizing delays and agrees more can be done, highlighting IOPC's revised guidance for police witnesses and the College of Policing's review of the Code of Ethics to promote challenging bad behavior. It also references the Angiolini Inquiry for wider …
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Home Office
22
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
The progress the IOPC has made in clearing 91% of its core investigations within 12 months is welcome and must be maintained. While there are risks in setting time targets for investigations (not least the incentive for those under investigation to delay co-operation if the clock is ticking), the Government …
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The progress the IOPC has made in clearing 91% of its core investigations within 12 months is welcome and must be maintained. While there are risks in setting time targets for investigations (not least the incentive for those under investigation to delay co-operation if the clock is ticking), the Government should ensure that the drive towards timely investigations is continued and should consider whether stronger guidance on the expected length of inquiries may be required.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the IOPC's progress in minimizing investigation delays and their revised guidance for police witnesses. It agrees that further work on end-to-end system timeliness is needed and would welcome Home Office leadership on this issue, but does not commit to stronger governmental guidance …
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Home Office
24
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
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.
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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.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes and expresses pleasure regarding the Committee's positive comments on the February 2020 reforms and its encouragement for the Home Office's pledge to review designated super-complaint bodies.
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Home Office
30
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
We urge the Government to review how IOPC, HMICFRS, and Coroners’ learning recommendations are reported to the public in a more joined-up and meaningful way. We recommend that data be published centrally, in order to simplify and streamline access to this important information. (Paragraph 152)
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We urge the Government to review how IOPC, HMICFRS, and Coroners’ learning recommendations are reported to the public in a more joined-up and meaningful way. We recommend that data be published centrally, in order to simplify and streamline access to this important information. (Paragraph 152)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees there is a case for greater coordination and clarification on learning recommendations and will consider the proposal for central publication further, exploring possible join-up with IOPC and other bodies.
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Home Office
32
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Police Conduct and Compl…
Acknowledged
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 …
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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
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the Committee's concerns about delays, complexity, and inconsistency in the police complaints system, highlighting ongoing efforts and initiatives to address these issues, including the Angiolini Inquiry.
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Home Office