Federation Chairman reacts to news that the IOPC are set to be examined by the Home Affairs Select Committee

30 October 2019

Federation Chairman reacts to news that the IOPC are set to be examined by the Home Affairs Select Committee

Leicestershire Police Federation Chairman Dave Stokes reacts to the news that The Home Affairs Select Committee is to "examine the role and remit of the Independent Office for Police Conduct." 

MPs will look at "progress in reforming the system following criticisms of the time taken to resolve complaints." 

Dave said: “In my experience, all too often the IOPC lack experience and that’s why they fall short - and why police officers question their ability. 

“There is no true training or qualifying period for IOPC investigators. This means the very people who investigate officers do so without the skills necessary to understand the role of a police officer. The best and most obvious example is seen during misconduct interviews. 

“Also, there are huge unrealistic expectations within the IOPC. Police cuts mean that officers do more with less. Few say it, but this means we the police now take more risks and have to cut corners.

“This is not because of unprofessionalism or laziness. It’s because the volume of policing only ever goes up.”

Dave added: “When public complaints are then made, the IOPC are not independent. They won’t stand up and defend officers with open honest conversations about police cuts and workload. What they do in my view is offer sympathetic views to the public. 

“My final point is the length of investigations. We all say it and Director Michael Lockwood seems to understand our concerns, but I’ve seen no improvement.”