IOPC

IOPC

What is the IOPC? It is the Independent office of Police Conduct

They oversee the police complaints system in England and Wales and set and monitor the standards by which the police should handle complaints.

IOPC investigate the most serious matters, including allegations of serious corruption, and cases where someone has died or been seriously injured following contact with the police. 

They also consider certain types of reviews from people who are dissatisfied with the way their complaint has been dealt with by a police force.

Role

The IOPC play a vital role in improving police practice by ensuring the police are accountable for their actions and lessons are learnt. 

In working with their partners, service users and communities, they use evidence from their work to influence and drive changes in policing. This in particularly, on issues that we know are affecting community and public confidence.

Example 

One of the examples of this is the focus on race discrimination in policing, and on the police response to violence against women and girls. 

Guidance

As part of a wider oversight work, the IOPC provide guidance to help the police handle complaints at a local level. 

In addition also monitor the performance of police force professional standards departments and then hold them to account for their performance in complaint handling. 

Super Complaints

Along with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and the College of Policing, the IOPC assess and respond to super-complaints. 

Super-complaints are made by a range of organisations about broad or systemic issues that could affect public confidence in policing. 

Powers

Additionally the IOPC also have powers in relation to a number of other organisations that are not police forces but have police-like powers, and they investigate criminal allegations against police and crime commissioners and their deputies.

For more information about the IOPC please click HERE