Local Resolution means dealing with complaints against the police at a local level - for example, through the involvement of an inspector at a police station or a police staff manager. The inspector or police staff manager can talk with the complainant so they understand what the complaint is about and take any appropriate action to put things right. The inspector or police staff manager may also want to take the opportunity to explain what has happened from the perspective of the police officer or staff member involved.
The Local Resolution of a complaint does not involve the disciplinary process and will not result in misconduct proceedings against an officer or member of police staff. The complaint will be closed after the process has been completed.
Local Resolution can be a proportionate and effective way of resolving many complaints against police officers and police staff. It is a simple and flexible way for people to tell the police what happened and find out why it happened.
The IPCC, Police Federation, UNISON and the PCS support the use of Local Resolution as an opportunity to resolve police complaints avoiding the need for a lengthy formal investigation. Local Resolution is important because more than 40% of all complaints are resolved in this way so most people who handle a complaint will experience this system. If handled in a confident and professional way, Local Resolution will have a positive impact on the community’s views about policing in their area and should increase public confidence and improve communication.
The Police Federation, UNISON and the PCS have worked with the IPCC to produce information on the Local Resolution process and how this can be a more appropriate response for many complaints, particularly complaints about quality of service.
The IPCC, Police Federation, UNISON and the PCS encourage use of the IPCC website by its staff to find out more about what is involved in the Local Resolution process and to provide input on developing the content of the Local Resolution information available on the website.
For more information about how to email your comments about this website to the IPCC please click this link.
"UNISON, the union for Police Staff, strongly supports the principle of Local Resolution as an effective process for resolving many complaints about police staff and police officers"
Caryl Nobbs, Chair UNISON Police Staff Service Group
Local Resolution is considered appropriate only once the police are satisfied that the actions of the police officers or police staff involved should not result in criminal or disciplinary proceedings.
Some complaints are too serious to be resolved locally. In some cases, an investigation may be appropriate. The extent of an investigation should be proportionate to the complaint or allegation of misconduct. If a complaint is not suitable for Local Resolution, an officer will be appointed to investigate.
When a member of the public decides to have their complaint dealt with by Local Resolution they must sign a declaration to confirm that they are happy with the agreed process. If this is not explained to them, or if they did not consent but still had their complaint dealt with in this way, they may appeal to the IPCC. However, complainants cannot appeal against the outcome. Once the agreement has been signed they cannot change their mind or have their complaint dealt with by a different method.
It is important that both the complainant and the person being complained about are fully aware of the Local Resolution process. Information about what happens at each stage should be communicated clearly to those involved. You should be clear about what Local Resolution is and what it is not, as well as what will happen in response to the complaint.
With Local Resolution, a formal notice telling you of an allegation and an intention to interview you is not necessary. However, forces should inform police staff and officers that a complaint has been made about them and those involved should then be engaged in the Local Resolution process.
Your senior officer will usually deal with the Local Resolution process and you may be asked to comment on the complaint. You are encouraged to provide an explanation regarding the complaint, although this is purely voluntary. Nobody can apologise on your behalf unless you specifically authorise them to do so.
A complainant has the right to appeal against the Local Resolution process
The information in this section is also available to download as a leaflet:
© Independent Police Complaints Commission All Rights Reserved