Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Paragraph: 140
IOPC thematic reviews demonstrate potential to improve public confidence and policing practice.
Conclusion
We welcome the IOPC’s work on thematic reviews, specifically its aim to identify systemic learning by taking on more independent investigations in these areas and to improve public confidence in policing and the wider system. Ultimately, the result of such thematic reviews should be manifest in increased public confidence in how the police deal with these issues. This should also support forces to improve policing practice, in, for example, how stops and searches are conducted.
Government Response Summary
The government states the IOPC is already making concerted efforts to uphold public confidence in the police complaints system through actions like thematic reviews, improved transparency, and stakeholder engagement, which are central to its current and upcoming strategies.
Paragraph Reference:
140
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
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.