“This is a step in the right direction - but much more needs to be done before the IOPC can be fit for purpose.”

22 March 2024

GMP Federation Chair Mike Peake looks at the publication of the Home Office Accountability Review.

Mike said: “Police officers uphold the law and as such it is only right that they are accountable for their actions- but police officers deserve the support from Government and their Chief Officers for carrying out an incredibly difficult job.

“In GMP we consistently see prolonged delays in connection with investigations into the conduct of officers. Delays that not just damage the mental health of officers, but with many officers being taken off front line duties also the service in which GMP provide to the public.

“Everyday police officers take the liberty away from suspected criminals, they make arrests, and carry out searches looking for vital evidence, and unfortunately a certain section of society use the police complaints system as a way of getting back at officers when they have been caught and the game is up.

“I am pleased that Home Secretary James Cleverly has announced potential reforms to the police accountability system particularly around the raising of the threshold which is used to determine whether the IOPC refer a case to the CPS, to improve the timeliness of investigations.

“However, whilst this is a step in the right direction much more needs to be done before the IOPC can be fit for purpose. There are far too many occasions when in our view IOPC investigators do not consider evidence that supports officers and instead choose to focus on placating complainants and trying to prove the allegations with no balance, the result being long drawn-out investigations that lead to nothing or low-level outcomes that could have been dealt with at the outset.

“This behaviour - which is costing the taxpayer - is completely biased and is an IOPC culture that needs to be addressed by Mr Cleverly and the new Director General.

“In the interest of our members, we have always tried to have a good working relationship with the IOPC but sadly as each day goes on, as the IOPC’s approach to investigations worsens, that is becoming more and more difficult.

“If a police officer sees someone acting suspiciously in the middle of the night I believe that the public would expect that police officer to act and do something, but when that someone complains because their criminality has been disrupted the IOPC look at that complaint and often ignore the account and evidence of the police officer, often captured on Body Worn Video, choosing weaker evidence from the complainant.

“Sadly this is an example of why police officers are now starting to think twice before utilising their powers.”