Complaints against officers

[Fedster + 1,307]

'I do not underestimate the stress that these delays undoubtedly caused', says watchdog deputy.

The police watchdog has admitted parts of its investigation into two officers cleared after a six-year process was unacceptable.

But the Police Federation says it is disappointed it has taken almost another year to resolve its complaints about the process.

Detainee Lynette Wallace complained about her treatment by Nottinghamshire Police in a custody suite in July 2011.

In May 2017, a misconduct hearing which the watchdog ordered into a male and female PC was scrapped.

The officers’ own complaints to the new Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have now been resolved.

Phill Matthews, from the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We are disappointed that it has taken nearly a full year to resolve the complaints, bearing in mind that such lengthy delays were part of the original problem, but pleased that the IOPC have now upheld our complaint against it and apologised to both the officers, admitting that its performance was not acceptable.

“The news that the IOPC has also made multiple recommendations for changes is also welcome. We are heartened that some learning appears to have come out of this protracted and sorry case and hope that this will make future cases quicker, fairer and more proportionate for our members.”

He said the officers’ motivation has been about ensuring that the type of flawed investigation they had to endure would never happen again.

IOPC deputy director general Ian Todd said the watchdog’s predecessor responded to the complaints at the end of last year.

He added: “In February I met with the two officers in Nottinghamshire to apologise in person for an at times unacceptable standard of investigation, for our contribution to delays in this case, and not keeping them regularly updated during its course.

“While not all of the process was within our direct control, I accept that our need to reinvestigate was the cause of a considerable part of the delay.

“I do not underestimate the stress that these delays undoubtedly caused the officers. I am committed to ensuring that we have learned from this investigation so that similar situations do not arise in the future.”

An independent review found no evidence of misconduct committed by an IPCC employee but some received management action.

Mr Todd said: “Significant changes have already been made to our investigative procedures in the six years since the original investigation began. Further operational improvements are in train to ensure the appropriate resourcing, quality, and review of our investigations.

“We are carrying out more timely investigations with 68 per cent of the 705 started in the year ending March 2018 completed within 12 months, and nearly a third in under six months, up by 14 per cent in one year.”

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[MerseyLLB 8,426]

Presumably the IOPC investigators concerned were under investigation and restricted from promotion during this time.

[Zulu 22 + 4,571]

46 minutes ago, MerseyLLB said:

Presumably the IOPC investigators concerned were under investigation and restricted from promotion during this time.

I don't think that there is any chance of that, or compensation for the anxiety and stress. 

[Mac7 808]

This is deplorable and a simple apology doesn’t cut it for me. If the tables were turned the IOPC would be wanting a scalp and pushing for misconduct proceedings. Yet the fed and the IOPC think an apology with suffice? Disgraceful. These officers would have had their careers and personal lives on hold while this was carrying on. That cannot be underestimated. It’s time the IOPC realised there are human beings behind uniforms and they cannot be treated like this.

I hope they are considering legal action over this and look to set a precedent.

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

I'd like to see The Fed try a test case on behalf of its members.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

I'd like to see The Fed try a test case on behalf of its members.

It would fail on account of 'it was the IPCC what done it. They don't exist anymore and the new body will do better.'
By the time the new group take 6 years to deal with a case it will have been rebranded again.
And so on.