25 February 2004
Appointment of Roy Clark as Director of Investigations for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)
Nick Hardwick, Chairman of the new Independent Police Complaints Commission, is delighted to announce today, 29th April, the appointment of Roy Clark as first Director of Investigations.
Roy’s appointment follows a distinguished career in the Metropolitan Police. As Deputy Assistant Commissioner he created the Professional Standards Unit at Scotland Yard and headed the ACPO group that introduced the concept into forces throughout the UK. In that position he was responsible for the internal investigation of complaints and allegations of misconduct, unethical behaviour, crime and corruption in London over a period of four years.
In his role upholding the integrity and ethical standards of the Met he worked closely with DAC John Grieve in bringing about change in response to the Macpherson Report.
In the final year of his career he was responsible for the quality review of all murder investigations within the Met.
Roy has a long track record of investigating serious and organised crime and led the South East Regional Crime Squad for two years."
He left the Met in 2001 to become Chief Executive of the Crimestoppers Trust, a charity set up to solve and combat crime using over 800 volunteers drawn from various communities and partner agencies.
Roy is aged 56 and will take up his position with the IPCC in early July.
Nick Hardwick said,
“This is an outstanding and significant appointment for the IPCC. Roy’s experience is second to none. I am confident that his integrity and professionalism will strengthen the confidence of all sections of the community, including police officers, in our absolute commitment to deliver a complaints system that is independent, effective and fair.
Roy will work closely with me and the other Commissioners, who cannot by law have a police background, and who will lead and guarantee the independence of the organisation.”
Background Information
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was set up under the Police Reform Act 2002.
It will replace the Police Complaints Authority in April 2004.
The IPPC will introduce a new system for handling complaints against the police.
Significantly, it will have its own powers of investigation and it own teams, able to carry out investigations independently of the police.
The IPPC will also have a guardianship role to ensure:
- that the whole system of complaints against the police works fairly and effectively;
- that there is public confidence in the system and,
- that the important lessons learned throughout its work are disseminated around the police service to improve performance.
Nick Hardwick, formerly Chief Executive of the British Refugee Council and Centrepoint, took up office as Chair of the IPCC in February. At the same time, Dr Susan Atkins, who was Director of the Women and Equality Unit at the Cabinet Office, became the Chief Executive.