Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
Paragraph: 63
Government failing to adequately monitor and encourage new PCC complaint models
Conclusion
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.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government agreed further work is needed on cultural change and committed to several actions: establishing the independent Angiolini Inquiry, tasking the police inspectorate to examine conduct and culture, and releasing new experimental police misconduct statistics in May. It also highlighted the College of Policing's review of the Code of Ethics to promote openness and accountability.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
63
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The Government’s review of the PCC model has looked a wide range of issues including public confidence and how PCCs are held to account themselves. The PCCs’ review (Parts 1 and 2) had clear terms and reference and concluded their work before the Committee published this report on police conduct and complaints. The Home Secretary announced the findings of Part 2 (via a Written Ministerial Statement) on 16 March 2022. So, we cannot now agree to the Committee’s recommendation. However, the Government will in due course, make an assessment of the impact of the reforms to police complaints implemented in February 2020. This will include consideration of the enhanced role for PCCs that the complaints reforms provided for. The Government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the police and policing bodies, including PCCs, and providing them with the resources they need to fight crime and keep the public safe. That is why for 2022/23, the Government has published a total police funding settlement of up to £16.9 billion; an increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to 2021/22. Assuming full take up of precept flexibility, overall police funding available to PCCs will increase by up to £796 million (5.8% in cash terms) next year. This includes an additional £550 million, including funding to deliver the final 8,000 additional officers and up to an additional £246 million from the proposed council tax precept flexibility. PCCs and Mayors with PCC functions have a vital role in ensuring public confidence in local policing in their areas. Ensuring a robust complaints system is clearly key to ensuring public confidence. Whilst the funding settlement is decided centrally, it is for these directly elected local policing bodies in conjunction with their Chief Constables to make the operational decisions on how to allocate their resources based on local knowledge, local priorities and experience.
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