Commenting on statistics reported by the BBC which show that at least 2,000 police officers were subject to three or more complaints by the public in the last year, Association of Police Authorities (APA) Chairman Rob Garnham said:
“Any complaints about the police are a very serious matter, so it is important that multiple complaints against the same officers are thoroughly investigated. Police authorities are working to ensure that the complaints process is managed fairly, that it works effectively on behalf of the public, and also those officers who are the subject of complaints.
“As part of the government’s planned reforms to policing, the APA will be proposing that the independence of the complaints process is strengthened so that it is more transparent and accountable to the public. We look forward to discussing these important proposals further with Home Office Ministers.
“Police authorities are committed to ensuring that the public has full confidence that every complaint will be taken seriously, and upheld where appropriate, particularly where the complaints involve the same police officer.”