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IPCC investigations

The IPCC investigates the most serious complaints and allegations of misconduct against the police in England and Wales.

Serious complaints and allegations of misconduct are those involving:

a death or serious injury
allegations of serious or organised corruption
allegations against senior officers
allegations involving racism
allegations of perverting the course of justice

Modes of investigation

Once a complaint or allegation has been received by the IPCC, it will make a ‘mode of investigation’ decision to determine how it should be dealt with. Modes of investigation include:

Independent investigations

Carried out by IPCC investigators and overseen by an IPCC Commissioner. IPCC investigators have all the powers of the police.

Managed investigations

Carried out by Professional Standards Departments (PSDs) under the direction and control of the IPCC.

Supervised investigations

Carried out by police PSDs under their own direction and control. The IPCC will set the terms of reference and receive the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have the right of appeal to the IPCC following a supervised investigation.

Local investigations

Carried out entirely by police PSDs. Complainants have the right of appeal to the IPCC following a local investigation.

Principles of investigation

When the IPCC supervises, manages or independently investigates a case it will:

ensure that initial terms of reference for the investigation are clearly defined
constantly review investigations to ensure they remain focussed
maximise the value of independent oversight to reach evidence-based conclusions as soon as practicable
adopt a flexible approach to allow the mode of investigation to change as appropriate (for example, an investigation may start off locally but escalate to a supervised, managed or IPCC investigation)
be independent and consider the needs and positions of all throughout the process
where appropriate and in the absence of a public complaint, investigate the incident and not necessarily the people concerned

If your complaint is being investigated by the IPCC, you will be provided with more information about this process by the IPCC at the start of the investigation.