Agenda item

1.            The Commissioner explained the process used to ensure that she and her staff maintained an overview of Police complaints and held the Chief Constable to account in this regard.  Notable processes include the issue being considered at recent Governance Boards, the Independent Audit Committee reviewing complaints and members of the Commissioner’s staff dip-checking PSD complaint records.

2.            The Commissioner explained that while the IPCC report had shown an increase in complaints against Police, the Chief Constable has stated that the improved data recording processes now used in Kent have contributed heavily to this and he also suggested that the Force’s publicised commitment to fair processes has increased confidence in the complaints system.  The Commissioner further stated that the complaints data has been analysed and that it demonstrates that Kent is performing better in this regard in terms of complaints per 1000 employees. The Commissioner pointed out that this was a more realistic measure than the actual number of complaints as Forces with large numbers of officers were very likely to have more complaints than Forces with a small number of officers.  When compared to five similar forces, Kent has the lowest number of complaints per 1,000 officers and this includes the addition of historic complaints that were reviewed and re-counted under new complaint procedures in March 2014.

3.            The Commissioner reassured the Panel by explaining that she has examined the processes used to review complaints and confirmed that she trusts PSD to conduct effective investigations and record complaints appropriately.

4.            The Commissioner referred to the report which outlined new options being considered by the Home Office for how Police Forces and PCCs manage complaints in the future.  No decision had been made as the outcome of the General Election would impact on the viability of any changes.  The Chairman requested that a further report on the complaint management options be brought to the Panel at a future meeting and the Commissioner agreed.

5.            The Panel questioned the Commissioner about action being taken to reduce complaints against Police.  The Commissioner re-iterated her view that having a fair complaints system should encourage people to feel confident that they can make a complaint.  Good work was being done to address trends among complaints that could highlight systemic poor practice.

6.            In response to a question about the three proposed models of complaint management, the Commissioner stated that she did not expect that there would be much consistency across Forces as each PCC would have to make their own decision.

7.            The Panel requested reassurance from the Commissioner that she is taking action to hold the Chief Constable to account in terms of complaints.  The Commissioner explained that she and her staff monitor complaint information and trends and support the current complaints management plan that includes a trigger mechanism should a single officer receive multiple similar complaints.  Such management information is shared with the Commissioner on a regular basis, ensuring she is kept up to date with complaint management practice within the Force.  Additionally, the Commissioner hoped that the funding and support she has provided for the provision of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) for officers would assist in reducing the number of complaints as BWC’s have been show to modify officer and public behaviour.  The Commissioner commented that the details of such complaints activity could be found at the Governance and People Boards.

8.            Panel Members questioned whether there was sufficient ‘independence’ within the complaints monitoring process compared to the historic practice of the Complaints Group used by the Kent Police Authority.  The Commissioner responded by explaining that consideration is being given to broadening the scope of complaint dip-checking and she also hopes that the Ethics Committee may be able to provide assistance in this area.

9.            In response to a Panel Member question, the Commissioner stated that Body Worn Camera Pilots were continuing across Kent and Medway but wider roll-out was dependent on the supplying company being able to provide sufficient units.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the Commissioner’s report and that the Commissioner provide a further report on the complaints management options proposed by the Home Office at a future meeting.