IOPC: new inquiry launched

31 October 2019

Ongoing concerns about the time the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) takes to complete investigations into conduct allegations against officers demonstrate the need for a review of the police watchdog’s role and remit.

That is the view of Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Geoff Bardell who has welcomed the launch of an inquiry into the work of the IOPC by Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee.

“It is now coming up to two years since the IOPC replaced the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and, while I do think there have been improvements in some areas of its work, I don’t believe we have seen as much progress as we would have liked,” says Geoff.

“I hope this inquiry will not only look into how the IOPC operates and how its practices affect police officers, many of whom spend months and sometimes years with conduct investigations hanging over their heads, but that it will also come up with some effective recommendations as to how the processes can be further reformed.”

Phill Matthews, the Federation’s national conduct lead, speaking ahead of the Conduct and Performance Liaison Officers’ Seminar this week, also backed the inquiry: “It is only right that the actions of police officers should be scrutinised but the current system is not working as it should and we feel there are significant areas where improvement can be made to make it quicker and more effective.”

He added: “I hope this inquiry will shine a light into all corners of the IOPC and its practices so that police officers and the public are able to have the confidence they need in such an important organisation.”

In launching the inquiry, Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the launch of the IOPC in January 2018 was heralded as bringing new powers, greater independence and faster decision-making to increase transparency and build trust in the police complaints and disciplinary process.

But she explained: “Nearly two years on we continue to hear concerns that the system is not working as it should. In this inquiry we expect to look at the IOPC’s powers and effectiveness but, given that most complaints are dealt with by local forces under the scrutiny of Police and Crime Commissioners, we shall also look at whether wider reforms are needed to build a system in which the public can have real confidence.”

The terms of reference of the inquiry are:

• The role and remit of the IOPC within the police conduct and discipline system;
• Progress in reforming the complaints system, including speeding up decision-making;
• How the IOPC is working with individual forces and policing bodies in order to respond to complaints;
• The need for the IOPC’s new powers, and their expected impact; and
• Whether further reforms are required to secure public confidence in the police conduct and discipline system.

Written submissions must be made to the committee by midnight on Sunday 8 December 2019.