Panel report findings into 27 complaints against Avon and Somerset officers

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner has released the quarterly report from their latest Independent Scrutiny of Police Complaints Panel.

This panel consists of volunteers from diverse backgrounds across Avon and Somerset, and are said to play an important role in monitoring the way Avon and Somerset Police manage complaints made against them.

The role is to investigate complaints and misconduct allegations made against Avon and Somerset Police.

March’s report in numbers:

• 27 complaint cases relating to individual police behaviours scrutinised
• 25 felt to have been handled in a timely way
• 22 assessed as providing appropriate progress updates to the complainant
• 25 assessed as reaching the correct final outcome

This quarter, the panel chose to scrutinise a random dip-sample of closed police complaint cases relating to the individual behaviour of officers – such as unprofessional attitudes or impolite language.

The PCC say that the panel highlighted the benefits of body-worn video being used to provide an accurate record of events, which often helped to resolve disputes and demonstrated the named officer(s) were not at fault.

Observations were made also regarding the need for the police to be mindful when sending final letters to complainants that apologies are made where appropriate – an example was cited where a member of the public was wrongly stopped and searched and a complaint was made.

The independent oversight the Panel provides helps to identify potential issues with how complaints are handled and suggest improvements to maintain fairness and justice.

HMICFRS carried out a Police Integrity Inspection in February this year, this included an inspection of Avon and Somerset’s Professional Standards Department. The inspectorate was impressed by the work of the panel and felt it had a clear impact.

The full report will be published in the summer.

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