Complaints Against Police

The Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) investigates all complaints
from the public concerning the conduct and behaviour of members of the
Force. The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), which is an
independent body comprising non-official members, is appointed to
monitor and review the investigation of complaints against the Force.

In 1997, 2 939 complaints were received. This represented a decrease of
370 cases, or 11.2 per cent compared with 1996. Over 95.8 per cent of
complaints in 1997 came from people either involved with, or subject to,
constabulary action. Complaints of assault, neglect of duty and conduct
or manner made up the majority of cases, or 75 per cent of total
complaints. Investigations into 3 006 cases were completed and endorsed
by the IPCC. The substantiation rate for complaints fully investigated was
13.5 per cent. In all, 1 467 cases were classified as Withdrawn or Not
Pursuable, representing 48.8 per cent of the total. Altogether, 806 cases
or 26.8 per cent of all complaints were dealt with through an Informal
Resolution Scheme. A total of 28 Police officers were disciplined and 18
charged with offences resulting from the complaints.

CAPO is also responsible for advising Force members on how complaints
can be prevented. Throughout the year, lectures and seminars on
complaint prevention were organised for Junior Police Officers. A
Complaint Prevention Committee, made up of various ranks in the Force,
was formed in 1992 to recommend on how preventable complaints may
be reduced and how its recommendations may best be implemented.

In close consultation with the IPCC, CAPO introduced a range of
measures to further enhance the transparency and fairness of the existing
complaints system. These included the installation of closed circuit
television, video or tape-recording facilities in CAPO report rooms, as well
as interview rooms; a scheme for IPCC members to interview witnesses;
a scheme for IPCC members to observe CAPO investigations and
enhanced publicity on the monitoring role of IPCC. A complaint hotline
for CAPO was introduced in June to supply complaint forms by facsimile
to members of the public.

[Back] [Forward]