Public
Confidence High in IPCC - Annual Report Published
'Public confidence in the Independent Police Complaints
Commission is high, demand is at record levels and performance is improving.
Last year the IPCC completed a record number of independent investigations,
significantly cut the backlog of appeals and handled over 11,000 direct
complaints.'
Publishing the Commission's annual report for 2007/08, Nick Hardwick,
IPCC Chair, said: 'Public confidence in the IPCC is very high. Almost
nine in 10 people (88%), who have heard of the IPCC, think they would
be treated fairly if they complained to us. Two thirds thought we were
independent and impartial.
'Confidence in the IPCC itself may be high, but the IPCC has a responsibility
to increase confidence in the complaints system as a whole. That we are
seeking to do.
'The IPCC has made some steady improvements in performance in the face
of significant increases in demand and static real resources. I am particularly
pleased by the work we have done to fulfil our guardianship responsibilities.
We are working to improve the local resolution of low-level complaints
and ensuring lessons are learnt from adverse incidents. But there is still
more to do. We will drive improvements across the system and make changes
within the IPCC to make the best use of our resources.'
The growth in demand for IPCC services was again an issue in 2007/08.
Last year 2,208 incidents and complaints were referred to the Commission
compared with 2,049 in 2006/07. The number of direct complaints handled
by the IPCC went up by 1,152 to 11,449. The number of appeals to the Commission
against police service decisions rose by one quarter to more than 4,000.
Nick Hardwick said: 'Despite the increased numbers, our performance in
dealing with appeals within the target times improved dramatically. In
2006/07 only one in three appeals about the non-recording of complaints
or the local resolution process were decided on time. Last year nearly
nine in 10 (87%) met the target. We also improved the timeliness on the
handling of the more-complex appeals about the outcome of investigations.
Last year more than half (55%) were completed in 25 working days compared
with just one in five the year before.'
The IPCC completed a record 82 independent investigations during the year
and began 100 new ones. The Commission also completed the management of
a further 147 investigations. The Commission met its target of ensuring
that half of the investigations were closed within 156 working days.
HMRC and SOCA
Since 2006, the IPCC has also been responsible for serious complaints
made against HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Serious Organised Crime
Agency (SOCA). Thirty-nine mandatory referrals were received from HMRC.
The IPCC independently investigated three and also managed three inquiries
and supervised another 10. One appeal (out of five) was upheld about the
outcome of an HMRC investigation. The Commission received 14 referrals
from SOCA of which five were public complaints.
Firearms licensing
The Commission took swift action after a series of cases featured failings
in the licensing of firearms. Nine cases in three years involved deaths,
including that of a police officer.
Working with the police service and Home Office, the IPCC began work in
2007 to identify the issues arising from these cases and the action that
needed to be taken.
Nick Hardwick said: 'It quickly became clear that the system needs to
be tightened up and changes to Home Office guidance would be the most
effective way to prevent cases being repeated. We proposed changes focusing
on greater weight being given to a series of convictions and allegations,
especially relating to domestic violence or false information on the application
form.
'Bind overs by the courts should be relevant factors when applying for
a licence and GPs should be asked to check that medical information given
is accurate. Our proposals received a mainly positive reception and were
agreed by the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Working Group.'
Stop and search
During 2007 the IPCC identified a high number of complaints arising from
stop and search incidents in the West Midlands area. In close collaboration
with West Midlands Police, whose support was highly constructive and positive,
the Commission carried out a review of the use of stop and search in some
parts of the area.
The investigation found that section 60 stop and search powers were not
being used correctly. Section 60 bestows enhanced powers on the police
to stop and search in anticipation of violence. It is not a power to be
used to tackle routine crime.
The review examined the appropriateness of the use of the stop and search
powers, the level of training given to officers and the attitudes to the
powers compared with forces with similar policing issues. It found an
over representation of people from black and minority ethnic communities
in the stop and search statistics and an apparent lack of consultation
with local communities on the use of this exceptional power.
Nick Hardwick said: 'We made a number of recommendations to West Midlands
Police and are delighted that their response has been so constructive.
They are now taking forward work to implement the recommendations.'
*'Annual report and statement of accounts 2007/08 of the Independent Police
Complaints Commission', HC898, London: The Stationery Office, £25.75
ISBN 978-0-10-295657-3. The report is available on the IPCC’s website
from Monday 21st July 2008 at http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/evidence_reports/corp_reports-plans.htm
