INDEPENDENT POLICE
COMPLAINTS COMMISSION News Release issued by The Government News
Network on 2 October 2007
The Independent
Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun a public
consultation on its draft guidelines on investigating allegations
of discriminatory behaviour.
The IPCC's guidelines will replace the Police Complaints
Authority (PCA) guidelines, Investigating Allegations of Racially
Discriminatory Behaviour.
The IPCC endorsed the PCA guidelines when it published its
statutory guidelines in July 2003, but agreed to review these and
aim to extend them to cover all forms of discrimination.
The draft guidelines are available on the IPCC's website at
http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/ipcc_resources_guidelines.htm
These guidelines will assist investigators employed by the IPCC
and police Professional Standards Departments when considering
complaints and allegations against police staff and officers.
In particular the IPCC is seeking views on:
* The use of Local Resolution for dealing with some allegations
of discriminatory behaviour.
* Disciplinary outcomes on proven cases reflecting the
circumstances of the complaint and evidence of the investigation.
* The development of a gravity matrix and gravity factors to
assist in making decisions on how to proceed with a complaint.
* Whether the IPCC should consider incorporating the guidelines
into IPCC statutory guidance.
The public consultation on the draft guidelines will end on 10
November. Nick Hardwick, Chair of the IPCC, said:
"Few complaints about police misconduct are as
controversial, or as complex to investigate, as those alleging
discriminatory behaviour.
"The impact of alleged discriminatory behaviour, where it is
either real or perceived, and how it is investigated, can have a
profound negative effect on public confidence in the complaints
system and the police." Mr Hardwick went on to say:
"For police officers who are the subject of an allegation of
this kind it is an extremely serious matter. Officers, no less
than complainants, need to be assured that any investigation is
professional, proportionate and fair.
"I hope anyone involved in investigating these sorts of
allegations or those with an interest in dealing with or tackling
discrimination to comment on the draft guidelines."
The draft guidelines are available on the IPCC's website at
http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/ipcc_resources_guidelines.htm
To request copies of the scheme in alternative formats, or to
register you comments as part of the consultation you can: email
us at discriminationguidel@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk, fax us on 020 7166
3531, call our minicom line on 0207 404 0431 or phone us on 020
7166 3231.
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints
system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for
similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the
Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales.
The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the
complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open,
timely, proportionate and fair.
The 16 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence
and by law can never have served as police officers. No
Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are
supported by more than more than 200 independent IPCC
investigators, casework managers and other specialists.
Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 171
independent and 533 managed investigations into the most serious
complaints against the police. It has set new standards for police
forces to improve the way the public's complaints are
handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about
the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.
The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it
serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional
offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office
in Wakefield.
The IPCC web site is constantly updated at http://www.ipcc.gov.uk or
members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.