Humberside Police Authority duty to monitor complaints

In March 2010, the Home Secretary conferred a function on the Police Authority by Order: a new duty for Humberside Police Authority to monitor complaints made by members of the public to the Police Force and to intervene where the response of the Force to such a complaint appears unsatisfactory.

The new duty relates only to direction and control complaints and expressions of dissatisfaction received by the Force. It does not relate to complaints relating to the conduct of a police officer or person serving with the Force (ie it does not relate to complaints within the remit of Part 2 of the Police Reform Act).

As part of the Authority's oversight, the Authority will:

vi. Monitor the complaints made (as defined above)

vii. Monitor how the Force responds to the complaints, particularly issues that might flag a persistent problem or pattern of complaint

viii. Ensure the Force provides sufficient detail about such complaints to enable the Authority to be satisfied that the process for dealing with individual complaints is being followed

ix. Make a reasoned decision that the Force has given a satisfactory response to those complaints

x. Intervene where the Authority thinks that the response is not satisfactory

Please note:

It is the role of the Police Authority to determine whether a satisfactory response can ultimately ever be provided. The Chief Constable still has operational responsibility concerning direction and control issues. The Police Authority can make representations to the Chief Constable about such issues but it cannot require action from the Force on these matters.

This duty to intervene in the process is NOT a form of appeal.

If you wish to raise such a matter with the Police Authority, please contact (including as much detail as possible):

Email: staff@humberside-pa.karoo.co.uk

Tel: 01482 220787

Address: Humberside Police Authority

Pacific Exchange

40 High Street

Hull

HU1 1PS