The role and responsibilities of Police Authorities
The role of police authorities in complaints forms part of their core duties around
promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of policing locally.
Police authorities have certain statutory duties in relation to complaints to:
- Keep themselves informed about complaint and discipline matters within their
force
- Provide the IPCC with the information and documentation to carry out its functions (including
inspection)
- Ensure that the IPCC or person nominated by the IPCC has access to any police premises
and material/documentation within those premises during the course of an investigation
- Ensure that the IO carrying out the investigation is given all the assistance that they
may reasonably require
- Refer complaints or misconduct matters to the IPCC, where the Chief Police Officer has
decided not to
- Act as the 'appropriate authority' in the recording and investigation of complaints and
conduct matters against officers of ACPO rank. This includes a statutory requirement to obtain and preserve
evidence in such cases.
More information about Police Authorities,
complaints against ACPO rank officers and referral of complaints to the IPCC can
be found in the IPCC's statutory guidance,, Making the new police
complaints system work better'.'
The IPCC and Police Authorities
The IPCC is working with police authorities to develop relationships and information
exchange between ourselves and to support police authorities to develop public confidence at a local
level. We have regular meetings with the Association of Police Authorities.
The IPCC Commissioner leading on our strategy with police authorities is Rebecca
Marsh, Commissioner for Wales and the South West. All Commissioners are responsible for relationships
with their local police organisations - see local organisations for more information
on your area.
The Association of Police Authorities is represented on the IPCC Advisory Board.
Privacy | Copyright & disclaimer | Technical support & feedback | Accessing the site | Sitemap
