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IPCC launches consultation on its complaints guidance for police forces

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is consulting on its revised guidance to police forces in England and Wales on the handling of complaints, allegations of misconduct, and deaths and serious injuries. 

The guidance has been reviewed in the light of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, key elements of which come into force in November 2012. It also draws on the IPCC’s experience over the past eight years. 

The new guidance emphasises the importance of complaints as a source of learning and encourages forces, where possible, to explore early resolution. 

It also gives extensive guidance on how forces should handle appeals. Forces will assume responsibility for many appeals later this year and will need to deal with them in a way that maintains public confidence. 

The IPCC expects the consultation to result in guidance which helps forces handle complaints and appeals appropriately, fairly and consistently. 

Chair of the IPCC, Dame Anne Owers, said: "The revised guidance reflects changes in legislation.  It also sets out what we consider to be good practice in the approach to complaints and complainants.  This is an essential part of increasing public confidence in the complaints system and ensuring that lessons are learnt from complaints.”  

The IPCC is consulting a number of organisations and interested people. The draft guidance can be found on the IPCC's website.