Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Deferred
Police complaints system language remains overly complex, reducing public confidence
Conclusion
The Government’s recent changes to the police complaints and discipline systems were intended to simplify and speed up the process. Nonetheless, the language used to explain systems to members of the public who wish to make complaints remains too complex and too technical: this contributes to public disengagement and lack of confidence in the system. (Paragraph 80) 48 Police Conduct and Complaints
Government Response Summary
The government largely deflected by detailing the IOPC's ongoing efforts to uphold confidence, improve transparency, and engage with stakeholders. It also highlighted the IOPC's new Strategy 2, which will focus even more on increasing public confidence in the complaints system.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The IOPC are already making a concerted effort to uphold confidence in the police complaints system. As referred to in the Committee’s report, this includes providing greater transparency in the publication of investigation outcomes, actively listening to policing bodies and communities about their concerns, improved investigation timeliness and thematic reviews. The current IOPC strategy (2018-2022) to improve confidence in police accountability laid out plans to engage with stakeholders and communities, to inform them of their right to complaint and to expect fair and just treatment in response to complaints and serious incidents. The IOPC has said that this stakeholder engagement has already had a significant impact on stakeholder perception. The new IOPC Strategy (Strategy 2) will have an even greater focus on increasing public confidence in the complaints system, and encouraging trust and confidence in policing, with a continued emphasis on stakeholder engagement.