Agenda item

1.    The Commissioner congratulated the Chairman and Vice Chairman on their re-election and paid tribute to the previous Members of the Panel.

2.    The Commissioner provided a detailed summary of the complaints process report and reminded Panel Members of the OPCC’s and Professional Standards Department’s (PSD) complaint responsibilities. Within the OPCC’s area of responsibility the Commissioner noted that there had been a significant increase in casework due to a widening of the complaint definition. He recognised the impact victim outcomes had on complaints and reassured the Panel that no individuals were treated differently as a result of the increase in complaints casework. The Commissioner added that an additional caseworker had been hired to deal with correspondence.

3.    In relation to accountability, the Commissioner confirmed that he and the OPCC met with the PSD regularly and received annual complaint reports. He reminded Panel Members that Adrian Harper, as the OPCC Monitoring Officer oversaw the operation of the complaints process.

4.    Members asked a range of questions in relation to the Complaints Process Report. Key issues raised by the Panel and responded to by the Commissioner included the following:

a.    A Member asked whether government had provided additional funding to support the expansion of the complaints process. The Commissioner confirmed that the OPCC budget had not increased and that there had been no further tax burden as a result of the change. He added that any increase in resource would be addressed in the 2022-23 budget.

b.    The Commissioner was asked whether the Black Lives Matter movement had a measurable impact on the volume of complaints over the previous year. He confirmed that whilst there had been no significant overall increase, a rise in stop and search complaints and complaints against the Chief Constable after he took the knee were noted.

c.    A Member asked whether a filtration system had been used to eliminate vexatious or trivial complaints and for details on the investigation process. Mr Harper confirmed that each complaint was considered on its words alone and that no automatic filtration was used. He informed the Panel that during the pandemic the OPCC reviewed 10% of complaints against Kent Police. Mr Harper gave reassurance that investigations were carried out in aresponsible and proportionate manner and followed a codified complaints procedure. The Panel were reminded that professional police complaints were still handled by the PSD.

d.    Following a question from a Member, the Commissioner reassured the Panel that the budget for the Police Officer uptake programme was ringfenced and that funds would not be diverted to support the police complaints process.

e.    The Chairman asked whether a levelling out of complaint numbers had been predicted. The Commissioner noted that future complaint trends would be difficult to predict, reassurance was given that the OPCC would provide complaints guidance to members of the public where necessary.

f.     Following a question from the Chairman, the Commissioner agreed to provide a report with an update on complaints, including the total number and trends, at the appropriate time.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.