Also published is data from the British Crime Survey (BCS), which showed more than a quarter of respondents said they had been 'really annoyed' by their contact with police.
In total, the number of complaints made to the IPCC had risen by approximately 8,000 since 2004/2005 when they first became responsible for collecting data. True to trends established in previous years, the most complained about issue was 'neglect of duty' and 'incivility'. The proportion of all allegations substantiated was just ten per cent.
IPCC chair Nick Hardwick, said: 'At a time when politicians and the police are debating public confidence in the police and how to make them more accountable, the complaint figures published today give a strong indication of what the public want sorted out. Complaints about rude and late officers consistently top complaint categories and work to address this can have a positive impact.
'The public recognise the police have a difficult job to do. However, this does not alter the fact that they expect officers to do their job politely and efficiently. These statistics show that when it is not done in this manner they are likely to complain.'
Worryingly complaints about stop and search numbered 680, up 27 per cent from the previous year. The IPCC also found of the 1,519 allegations of discrimination 76 per cent of the allegations concerned race.
The BCS survey found of the 27 per cent of people who had been 'really annoyed' by their contact with the police, only ten per cent made a complaint, and of those who didnt' complain most were 'likely to be young'.
Mr Hardwick, added: 'The overall increase in the number of complaints reflects growing confidence in the system and more consistent complaint recording standards. We want to make sure all sections of society have confidence.
'If the police are to enjoy the confidence of the public it is important they hear from all communities about their experience of policing - good and bad.'
The IPCC is currently consulting on changes to its 'Statutory Guidance'- the rules about how the complaint system should operate, the aim of which will be to create a simpler and less bureaucratic system.
Responding to the publication of the figures, Simon Reed, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: 'One of the strengths of British policing is our accountability to the public we serve but you have to look carefully at these latest complaints against police statistics and not just focus on the headline figures.
'These complaints not only reflect the increasing pressures on police officers but also highlight the need to invest in appropriate training for officers so they have the confidence and skills to deal with the challenging situations they face.
'It needs to also be borne in mind that the very nature of policing means that often police officers are interacting with those who would rather not be stopped or questioned by police and that may explain why a considerable number of complaints are later dropped or unfounded.'
No comments:
Post a Comment