Recommendation 11

HM Government · verbatim extract Deferred

The Government agrees that there is a need to ensure the police complaints system, and those bodies that interact with it, are transparent and accessible and that efforts are made to produce plain language and translated versions. The IOPC, the police, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service take their decisions and operate independently of the Government, and we are not minded to prescribe formats and requirements in law at this stage over and above the existing legislative framework on equality and language. The Home Office has been working with key stakeholders to obtain a better understanding of what work is already underway to meet these standards and will keep this recommendation under review. For example, the Government, like the Committee, welcomes the work the IOPC have done to encourage forces to use accessible language and formats. The IOPC has translated general information published on their website into the 10 most regularly requested languages, in addition to English and Welsh. They also provide information in Easy Read, Braille, audio and large print formats, and on a British Sign Language DVD, and have produced a Young Person’s Guide to the police complaints system in conjunction with their Youth Panel. Further work will be conducted to explore the potential for broadening accessibility through digital channels. The IOPC intends to revise their website this year, to include additional accessible content. At current, the College of Policing are keen to assist with ensuring the police complaints system is clear an accessible for all and have provided a link to the IOPC website from their own, where clear guidance in everyday, accessible formats are provided. The CPS Complaints Handling Standard already sets out an obligation for them to provide a service which complies with the principles of effective complaints handling. Their published Feedback and Complaints Policy is written clearly and in language which is easy to understand. The Policy is available on their website in both Welsh and English and can be provided in alternative formats where necessary. As a collaboration body, which brings police forces in the UK together to help policing coordinate operations, reform, improve and provide value for money, the NPCC has a less public facing role than statutory independent bodies such as the IOPC and the CPS. The NPCC has a user-friendly website with signposts on how to get further information. Additionally, the NPCC Complaints and Misconduct portfolio is currently working with the NPCC Single Online project team in development of an easily accessible and understood public complaint’s portal that is consistent across the 43 police forces of England and Wales.