Fall in police complaints masks discrepancies in how forces handle them – watchdog

Police forces vary considerably in how they deal with and record complaints made against them, a watchdog has said.

Some 31,671 complaints were recorded by forces in England and Wales over 2017-18 – a 7% fall from the previous year, figures from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) show.

But the watchdog said the drop “masks wide discrepancies” in the way forces handle and record such complaints.

An “overly complex complaints system” meant some forces were choosing to formally investigate most allegations, while others were going through a less formal process.

Some forces were dealing with 10% of complaints informally through “local resolution”, with others handling three-quarters of the complaints in this manner.

There were “considerable variations” in the length of time it took forces to investigate allegations, ranging from an average of 68 days for the City of London to more than a year for Cleveland.

The number of allegations withdrawn or discontinued remained the same as the previous year, but again varied among forces.

It is hoped Home Office reforms, which will come into effect in 2019, will simplify the complaints process.

IOPC director-general Michael Lockwood said: “The handling of complaints varies a great deal and we hope that changes next year promote a culture across policing which is more consistent and transparent.

“This year’s drop in recorded complaints may mean that forces are already adopting some of the changes and dealing with some less serious complaints outside the formal system.

“If complainants are satisfied with this approach, it is to be encouraged. We want police forces to view complaints as an opportunity, not as a threat.”