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Watchdog inquiry

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he Independent Office for Police in our relationship with the IOPC in that it is
Conduct (IOPC) is shrouded in secrecy, being more accountable, more open and
“QUALITY and breadth of knowledge, failing to get the noticeably better staff retention. Our hope is
transparent, more professional and there is
Twith its staff lacking the right depth
right training and being ‘absolutely
this will lead to better investigators with
unaccountable’, the Federation’s national
better training that will culminate in better
INSURANCE conduct and performance chair has told investigation, however, it cannot be
understated, this is a work in progress.”
MPs.

Phill Matthews made the comments

Phill’s comments were also backed by
when he addressed a Home Affairs Select Victor Marshall OBE, professional standards
AT INTERNET Committee inquiry into the role and remit of co-ordinator, who gave evidence on behalf of
the IOPC at the end of January.
the Police Superintendents’ Association and
Criticising the long delays in
said: “The ‘justice delayed, justice denied’

investigations into officers’ conduct and exists across the whole system because we
PRICES” outlining the damage that caused to feel for everybody when these things drag
officers, their families, colleagues and the
on. Obviously, it has an impact on officers,
complainants themselves, Phill repeated the
Federation’s calls for a 12-month cap on their families, and careers – but absolutely it
has an impact on complainants and answers
Great value insurance, police disciplinary inquiries and said there need to be given. The longer these things go
on the worse the situation becomes.”
should be sanctions for the IOPC when it
Phill acknowledged the IOPC, which
for all serving and retired failed to meet these deadlines. replaced the IPCC in 2018, had made
“A delay doesn’t serve complainants or

Police Officers, Specials, our members at all,” he said. improvements and there was a better

understanding between the watchdog and
Phill continued: “There must be some
Staff and Partners. form of teeth because at the moment there the Federation.

is absolutely no incentive for the IOPC, or
“It’s a step in the right direction and its
appropriate authority, to deal with things director general, Michael Lockwood, has
promptly and properly because they don’t done a great deal to build trust with the
need to. If there was an incentive, like there Federation and is trying to reform his
is for police when you must get a case in organisation but it’s the speed of change we
front of a hearing within a set period, you are not content with,” he added.
would invest the time and money to do Phill Matthews, the Federation’s national To safeguard genuinely delayed cases,
that.” conduct and performance chair. the Federation is recommending a Legally
But he said funding was not the issue Qualified Chair should then be appointed
since the IOPC has a budget of £72 million “There are some very good people who and should have the power to terminate or
and 1,000 staff and that it was how the work for the IOPC, but there are others conduct robust case management to bring
watchdog was using that funding causing where we see a staggering lack of cases to swift conclusions, safeguarding
EVERYTHING TAKEN CARE OF: the problems. knowledge,” he added, “We just want the both the complainant and an officer’s
The IOPC, he explained, has failed on best possible investigators with the best position.
It also wants to see greater transparency
MOTOR INSURANCE numerous occasions to explain why a case is possible training and knowledge to at the IOPC with Phill suggesting that it
investigate members because that is best
over-running, but he highlighted poor
HOME INSURANCE disclosure as a contributing factor. for members and the police service.” should be audited in the same way as forces

are.
George McDonnell, West Midlands Police
Phill explained that a case ended up

Phill praised rank and file colleagues for
MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE dragging on for seven years because the Federation’s conduct and performance lead, the challenging and risky work they do:
IOPC failed to disclose an expert statement,
has backed Phill’s comments.
‘’I wholeheartedly support our national
TRAVEL INSURANCE corroborating the officer’s account, at the lead in his efforts to try to redress some of “They are dealing with some of the most
chaotic and dangerous individuals in society
beginning of the case.
He was critical of some of the staff at
MOTOR BREAKDOWN COVER the IOPC. the imbalance that historically has seen - and they are put in confrontational
what was then the IPCC sit at opposite ends
situations with those individuals. It is
“We don’t think they have the right of a table with the Federation as the impact inevitable that there will be complaints
depth and breadth of knowledge; we don’t of its lengthy, often poorly thought-out made against officers, but just because
think they have the right training and they investigations had a devastating impact on there is complaint doesn’t mean an officer
are absolutely unaccountable,” he explained, our colleagues and their families. Factor in has done something wrong.”
After the session he said: “We appreciate

the standard of service given to those
“You cannot get disclosure from the IOPC
Call 0161 762 4416 and I don’t think they understand it members of the public who felt aggrieved at being given the opportunity to provide
their dealings with the police and it was
evidence to the committee and hope this
properly.”
Phill said he would have more obvious something had to change,” says will in turn make a tangible difference and
or visit policeinsure.co.uk confidence in retired officers, who work well George. establish a fairer system for all. The

in forces’ professional standards
“On a local level, we believe, as a
Federation will continue to lobby Parliament
departments, taking on roles in the IOPC. Federation, we are making positive changes on these issues.”
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