01 October 2008

Cleveland PC charged with assault following IPCC managed investigation

A Cleveland Police officer has been charged with Section 20 assault following an Independent Police Complaints Commission managed investigation.

Pc Simon Atkins, 36, who is based in Middlesbrough, has been charged following the investigation into an allegation that he used excessive force on a 32-year-old man during his arrest. The man sustained facial injuries, including the loss of a number of teeth.

The incident occurred on 30 September 2007 in Middlesbrough and the IPCC managed Cleveland Police’s internal investigation.

Pc Atkins will appear before Teesside Magistrates Court on Monday 6 October 2008.

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Notes for editors:

The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales. The IPCC’s jurisdiction was extended in 2008 to cover UK Border Agency staff exercising police-like powers.

The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair.

The 15 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. No Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are supported by more than 100 independent IPCC investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 264 independent and 663 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police and other agencies. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.

The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office in Wakefield.

The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

Media contact:

Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communications Officer (North region) Tel 0161 246 8582 Journalists with an urgent enquiry about incidents outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157