“The IOPC must focus its efforts on concluding investigations as quickly as possible”, MPs have said in a new report

1 March 2022

“The IOPC must focus its efforts on concluding investigations as quickly as possible”, MPs have said in a new report.

The Home Affairs Select Committee published its ‘Police Conduct and Complaints’ report, focusing on the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) this week.

It said that the IOPC had made “significant advances” in speeding up the process for dealing with officer complaints and that most were now resolved within 12 months.

But the Government might intervene in the future to make sure this deadline is maintained.

The report said: “The Government should ensure that the drive towards timely investigations is continued and should consider whether stronger guidance on the expected length of inquiries may be required.”

There were also concerns about “the strength of [the IOPC’s] investigations, the qualifications of its investigators and the transparency of its operations”.

Neil Mennie, Chair of Kent Police Federation, said: “I have just had the sad task of informing a member that an IOPC investigation has resulted in a directed gross misconduct hearing. The individual is clearly shocked and upset and now faces an uncertain and long wait for a hearing.

“The fact is that Federation representatives all over the country undertake a similar task and experience first hand the impact on colleague’s and the fears and worries that follow. I remain sceptical that this has truly been grasped by the enquiry and labelling us a union – as MPs d in the report - does nothing to help.

“This isn’t about ‘blaming each other’ - as the report describes – it’s about facts and individuals on the wrong end of investigations. Of course none of us want wrongdoers in the job but we must balance this against those who are on a difficult journey that too often results in a minor sanction or indeed nothing at all.

“The report summary includes the line ‘and that police officers remember always that the trust of the public on which they depend needs to be earned and constantly maintained’ Well here is some news I think we get that.

“I’m glad that the IOPC are ‘making progress’ and we have never had fear of proportionate and appropriate investigation. One of the key elements that could help is having a sensible statutory time limit for investigations that all parties can work with.

“If you live in a nice area with a low burglary rate that doesn’t help when it’s your house that’s turned over and the horrible feelings that follow. I am sure however many colleague’s would rather that than be under investigation for a protracted period and this is how serious the issue is.

“There is a glimmer of hope with the suggestion that the Government should consider ‘stronger guidance on the expected length of enquiries’ but will that be enough?”

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW)’s Time Limits campaign has long pushed for a cap on the amount of time it takes to investigate a complaint against an officer. The Federation told MPs about the detrimental impact that lengthy investigations have on officers and their families, highlighting a Metropolitan Police officer whose case took seven years to resolve.

The authors of the report wrote: “The example of it taking seven years to clear one police officer of misconduct is exceptional, but demonstrates why the IOPC must focus its efforts on concluding investigations as quickly as possible. Quite aside from the effect on an individual’s morale, the removal from officers under investigation from front-line duties for lengthy periods may add to strain on police resources.”

However, the Home Affairs Committee said it was “concerned to hear policing organisations and the IOPC blame each other for ongoing delays”, saying that there needed to be a “change of culture” in police forces to ensure officers cooperate with investigations.

It continued: “Those responsible for blocking the progress of investigation must be held to account. The IOPC must utilise its powers at an early stage to minimise delays.”

The report also said that the Government should consult on whether Police and Crime Commissioners should be mandated to take a more active role in the complaints system.