Inquiry into role of the IOPC

30 October 2019

The continuing issues around the length of time the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) takes to conclude conduct investigations is just one reason why a new inquiry into the police watchdog is necessary, according to West Midlands Police Federation.

The Federation conduct lead George McDonnell was commenting after Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee announced it would carry out an inquiry into the IOPC’s role and remit.

“The IOPC was launched at the start of 2018 and replaced the much-maligned Independent Police Complaints Commission. We had hoped to see a far more effective organisation with quicker decision-making and cases being concluded in a more timely manner and, to be fair, the director general Michael Lockwood has helped improve the way in which it works,” says George.

“However, we would have liked to have seen greater progress and we hope this inquiry will lead to a more effective way of handling police conduct investigations for the benefit of all concerned.”

Phill Matthews, the Federation’s national conduct lead, speaking ahead of the Conduct and Performance Liaison Officers’ Seminar this week, has 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.