CHESHIRE Police have once again been praised for having a lower ratio of complaints than their national counterparts.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) this week has published its annual report of figures on complaints about the police in England and Wales in 2009/10.
Adrian Walmsley, vice-chairman of the Police Authority’s staff committee, said: “Once again, the number of complaints in Cheshire compares favourably against other forces nationally. Cheshire Constabulary has been working hard to train officers and staff to ensure that people are dealt with compassionately and efficiently and changes have been made to try to resolve people’s problems as quickly as possible without passing them from one department to another.
“This report sits well alongside the much improved levels of satisfaction with individual officers, members of staff and service delivery.”
Cheshire has a history of reducing complaints, in 2008/09 the number of complaints in Cheshire was reduced by 17 per cent against a national increase of eight per cent. During 2009/10, there was a further eight per cent increase in the number of complaint cases nationally, yet Cheshire remained stable with no increase in complaints.
During 2009/10, there were 185 allegations per 1,000 Cheshire police personnel, which compares favourably with the national average of 223 per 1,000. In 2010/11 to date, there has been a further decrease to 180 allegations per 1,000 employees.
The IPCC are dealing with increased volumes of appeals. During 2009/10, the IPCC upheld 3 per cent of all submitted appeals against outcome for Cheshire complaint cases (against a national average of 21 per cent).
Adrian, who is the lead member for professional standards, added: “While sometimes the trend in complaints received fluctuates, overall Cheshire performs very well. Even as recently as our staff committee meeting on February 15, we learned that between October to December 2010, complaints had fallen by 30 per cent with a 22 per cent decrease in allegations made.”