Who Deals With Complaints About the Police?

There are a number of organisations who deal with complaints against the police, depending on the nature of the complaint. The responsibilities of police authorities, Chief Police Officers, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) for complaints are set out in the Police Reform Act 2002.

What is the role of the Police Authority?

Our responsibilities include:

• Keeping informed about complaint and discipline matters within West Midlands Police
• Providing the IPCC with the information and documentation to carry out its functions (including inspection)
• Refering complaints or misconduct matters to the IPCC, where the Chief Police Officer has decided not to
• Acting as the ‘appropriate authority’ in the recording and investigation of complaints and conduct matters against senior officers (officers of ACPO rank).

What is NOT the role of the Police Authority?

• We do not investigate complaints concerning the conduct of non-senior officers. This is the responsibility of the Chief Constable
• Complaints about operational policing matters or decisions and general policing standards are known as ‘Direction and Control’ complaints. These are also the responsibility of the Chief Constable
• Police authorities do not involve themselves in the detail of individual cases.

Useful Contacts

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - www.ipcc.gov.uk - For more information about making a complaint against the police.