Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Accepted
Paragraph: 142
IOPC needs to improve defence of its police complaint decisions for public confidence.
Conclusion
Evidence to our inquiry suggests the IOPC could do better in defending its role in police complaint decisions which, though they may not always be amenable to forces or police associations, must be accepted and acted upon if public confidence in accountability in policing is to be improved.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the IOPC is already making concerted efforts to uphold confidence through transparency, improved investigation timeliness, and thematic reviews, and is continuing this focus with its current and new strategies.
Paragraph Reference:
142
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.