The IPCC is publishing its 2008 Public Confidence Survey today (23 June 2009) which aims to measure the levels of public confidence in the police complaints system. The survey of 4,000 people nationally was carried out in November 2008.
Key findings for London include:
- 83% of people surveyed believed they would be treated fairly by the IPCC if they made a complaint against the police – an increase of 6% since 2007.
- 73% of people who had contact with police during 2008 were happy or very happy with the experience – an increase of 14% since 2007.
- 57% of respondents in London were aware of the IPCC – below the national average of 66%, but an increase of 13% since 2007.
- 61% of all respondents in London were either very or fairly confident that the IPCC would deal with complaints impartially, slightly lower than the national figure (65%).
Nationally:
- The survey shows growing awareness of the IPCC among young people (aged 15-24) (now 26%, up 5% from 2004), and among ethnic minority people (now 42%, up 9% from 2004), but these percentages are still low.
IPCC Commissioner for London Deborah Glass said: “This survey helps us measure public confidence in the police complaints system which is at the heart of the IPCC’s existence.
“It’s particularly pleasing to see that we have made some headway in reaching young people and ethnic minority communities but we still need to work to improve this aspect of our work.
“Awareness of the IPCC in London in general has increased significantly since last year, but is below the national average. I expect that awareness may have increased since these statistics were collated as we are currently dealing with a number of high profile investigations in London, such as those arising from the G20 protests, the Worboys and Reid cases and allegations against the Enfield crime squad. We also recently published our findings into the Met’s handling of the recall to prison notice for Dano Sonnex.
“However, we are involved in much more than the cases people see on the news. Much of our work involves overseeing the complaints system in general, making sure it works more effectively and improving access to it. We also work to build links with communities, policing authorities and those who feel most affected by the police complaints system – and the wider criminal justice system as a whole.”
IPCC Chair, Nick Hardwick, said: “Our work is often controversial. This does not and must not affect public confidence in the IPCC. These figures show that over an incredibly busy period we have not only maintained public confidence but in many areas we have seen improvement. That said – we must not be complacent. These figures continue to get better year on year and we will do everything in our power to ensure this is maintained.“
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) became operational in April 2004. It replaced the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). It is a Non-Departmental Public body (NDPB), funded by the Home Office, but by law entirely independent of the police, interest groups and political parties and whose decisions in cases are free from government involvement.
The IPCC is responsible for ensuring complaints against the police are dealt with effectively and when something has gone wrong, the IPCC helps police learn lessons and improve the way they work.
The IPCC is run by a Chair, Nick Hardwick, ten Operational Commissioners (including two Deputy Chairs) and two non-executive Commissioners. They guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. They are supported by more than 100 independent police investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.
When a case is referred to the IPCC, an assessment of the evidence available at that time is carried out and a decision is made as to the level of investigation that should take place. There are four levels of investigation:
o Independent – where the IPCC uses its own investigators and the police are not involved at all;
o Managed – where an IPCC investigator has direction and control of police resources and leads the investigation;
o Supervised – where the police force lead the investigation but a member of the IPCC staff monitors it;
o Local – where the police investigate the complaint or area of concern themselves
From 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 353 independent and 759 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.
