Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, Martyn Underhill, has given his backing to government plans to reform the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).The IPCC oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales.
Last month, the Home Secretary announced that the IPCC is to be expanded to deal with all serious complaints against the police.The package of reforms will see all serious allegations investigated independently, a new code of ethics introduced, tougher rules around misconduct hearings, increased vetting of officers and more transparency around police business.
Mr Underhill said: “It’s right that the Police are investigated by an independent body and not by themselves. We live in a democracy, and to get broad public support for most things is unusual, simply because we have different points of view. But on this matter, every person I have met in Dorset, both as a candidate and a PCC, do seem to agree.”
The IPCC is also being given new powers to compel officers to attend interviews and will soon have the power to investigate private companies working on behalf of the police.
Mr Underhill added: “That’s a good thing. When it was set up, the IPCC lacked the resources or manpower to take over the majority of police complaints. Criticism has been levelled at the amount of ex police in the IPCC team. Criticism has also been made over the small number of enquiries they actually investigate.”
“The IPCC investigate around 6,500 appeals from the public over local police complaint investigations. That equates to 1 in 5 of all complaints made – a worrying statistic.”
“The new government proposals are to be welcomed. Hopefully one day soon, we will see true independence in the way police are investigated. This is surely a step in the right direction.”
