NEWS Officers to be told sooner if they are being investigated


The Independent Ofce for Police Conduct has made a commitment to notify ofcers within three months if they will be served with a notice. Michael Lockwood (right),


Director General of the watchdog, provided the reassurance to Police Federation conduct leads in May, insisting his organisation is ‘learning lessons and improving’. He said: “We know that for


police ofcers and staf involved in our investigations, this can be a time of considerable concern. To reduce this impact, we will introduce a new commitment that, when an investigation is not completed within three months, we will aim to confirm the status of all those involved – whether they are to be considered witnesses or to serve the appropriate misconduct notices. “ The new stance follows criticism


from the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) over cases that have dragged on for five or more years, causing untold damage to the mental wellbeing of ofcers and their families. Mr Lockwood said the IOPC has


streamlined its case management data entry and hired specialist report writers. He added: “If we can do them in two or three months, let’s do them in two or three months – but not at the expense of quality.” The IOPC says it has closed


93 per cent of investigations within 12 months to the end of October 2019. It is in discussion with the College


of Policing to participate in Post Incident Procedures training and has introduced a Quality Committee as well as investigator training to improve the standards of its investigations. PFEW’s Conduct and


Performance Lead, Phill Matthews, said: “We are encouraged that Mr Lockwood recognises his organisation


still has a long journey ahead of it and has plans to continue to change and improve it. There is a willingness to work with us rather than against us to improve the complaints system that will benefit everyone. “We will continue to hold


the IOPC to account where an investigation could have been handled better and push for outcomes


for members that are just and proportionate.” The Federation’s Time Limits


campaign is calling for investigations to conclude within 12 months as standard, from the point of an allegation being made.


Find out more at www.polfed.org/ campaigns/time-limits


Chair joins Home Secretary for Sussex visit Mr Apter joined Home Secretary


PFEW National Chair John Apter visited Sussex Police Federation in July and heard from the Chief Constable how the force is tackling domestic abuse. Sussex has been hailed as an


‘exemplar’ by the Home Ofce for its efectiveness in tackling domestic violence, sexual abuse and modern slavery during the lockdown. It has created a 39-strong


specialist unit which discusses incidents remotely with a caller, leading to an investigation and support. More than 1,400 victims across Sussex have been assisted so far.


Priti Patel at the visit and met with new recruits and members of specially trained enforcement teams, including the recently expanded Tactical Enforcement Units and Sussex’s new Rural Crime Team. Mr Apter said: “It was good to


see the newly created intervention team. It is kicking in doors and disrupting criminals, which is what the public wants. From my perspective, it was positive to see a force investing in that side of policing because if anything we’ve seen the withdrawal of those type of units.”


SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36