In this section you will find the IPCC Casework Manuals published in line with our commitment to openness. The Casework Manuals provide guidance to our Casework Managers who are responsible for handling important aspects of the complaints procedures. Casework Managers are expected to apply the guidelines in the manuals. The guidance cannot cover every eventuality and there may be cases when the circumstances of a case justify decisions or actions outside of the guidelines.
Changes to our practices and procedures will be updated in the manuals on a regular basis.
The Casework Manual comes in seven sections:
Applications for local resolution Unless a complaint has to be referred to the IPCC, an appropriate authority must decide whether the matter is suitable to be locally resolved. Any matter may be suitable for local resolution as long as the appropriate authority is satisfied the conduct being complained about, even if proven, would not justify bringing criminal or disciplinary proceedings. In any case, local resolution can take place if it is first authorised by the IPCC. A matter can only be locally resolved with the complainant’s informed consent.
DispensationsBy law the police have to investigate or locally resolve every complaint they record. However, if it is not practical or possible to do so, the police force may apply to the IPCC to dispense with a complaint. This manual contains guidance and the process for considering an application for a dispensation and deciding whether to grant it. If the IPCC grants an application, the force may handle the complaint as they see fit, and do not have to take any further action on it.
DiscontinuanceAn application for discontinuance is a request from an appropriate authority to the IPCC to stop an ongoing investigation to a complaint or conduct matter which is being conducted by that authority on its own behalf or, which is being supervised or managed by the IPCC. The IPCC may decide in the absence of an application from an appropriate authority that such an investigation should be discontinued. The IPCC may also discontinue an independent investigation under similar provision.
Withdrawal of complaints A complaint is withdrawn if notice is given in writing from the complainant, their solicitor or any other authorised agent to say they are withdrawing their complaint or do not want further steps to be taken. If an indication is given other that in writing, it may also lead to that complaint being recorded as withdrawn, subject to necessary steps being taken by the appropriate authority.
Referrals Forces must refer certain cases to the IPCC. If a case is referred, the IPCC must consider how serious the case is and the public interest engaged. After judging a case on this basis, the IPCC must firstly decide if it is necessary for the matter to be investigated. Secondly, if an investigation is necessary, the IPCC must decide how to carry out the investigation (mode of investigation). The options are to supervise, manage or independently investigate the case, or ask the force to investigate it (local investigation). This manual sets out the IPCC casework processes for handling referrals.
Supervised investigationsThis manual provides guidance on the IPCC casework processes when handling a supervised investigation following referral to the IPCC and an IPCC decision that a supervised investigation is the appropriate mode of investigation for a complaint, conduct or Death and Serious Injury (DSI) matter.
AppealsThere are three activities carried out by persons serving with the police which a complainant can appeal against. These are:
The appeals manual provides guidance on the IPCC casework processes for assessing and deciding on the three types of appeals and whether to uphold an appeal or not.
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