Police: New complaints body

The Home Office has welcomed the creation of a new and "independent" police complaints organisation.

Ministers say the new body will increase police and public confidence in the accountability and integrity of the police service.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was introduced under the Police Reform Act 2002 to replace the Police Complaints Authority.

The new commission will:

• have its own investigative teams;
• have powers to direct police investigative teams and resources when
  handling complaints against the police;
• consider appeals from complainants against police decisions;
• inspect and monitor police performance in this field, building on existing  good practice to raise standards consistently across forces;
• cover all police officers, irrespective of rank, special constables, police staff and contracted escort and detention officers;
• encourage greater openness in the system;
• have a regional presence; and,
• seek to speed up the complaints process. 

Welcoming the new body, Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "Maintaining public and officer confidence in the accountability and integrity of the police service is vital to successful policing.

"The government is committed to ensuring greater transparency and accountability through the new complaints system and the
Independent Police Complaints Commission.

"We expect a great deal of our police service and we rightly subject their actions to intense scrutiny."