Fed says it has the evidence needed ahead of IOPC inquiry

27 January 2021

The Federation says it has enough evidence to show the damaging impact long-lasting complaint investigations can have on officers, ahead of its involvement in the Government inquiry into the role and remit of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Conduct and performance chair Phill Matthews will be giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee today, calling for the introduction of a 12-month limit on disciplinary investigations against officers.

“By building up enough evidence to show the damaging, and often long-lasting, impact of investigations which have dragged on for an unacceptable amount of time, we can prove to MPs this issue is very real and something must be done because enough is enough. We now have that evidence,” he says.

“Sadly, one officer has been left with PTSD as a result of an IOPC investigation going on for seven years and I know he is not the only one. We have lost many dedicated officers with exemplary service because of the toll it has taken on them.”

Phill will be appearing via Zoom to give evidence this morning.