Independent Office for Police Conduct

On today’s 36th anniversary, we remember those affected by the #HillsboroughDisaster. Please see the statement from our Director General.

As a result of one of our investigations the judge thanked us for an “exemplary investigation” and said that it “proves the overwhelming importance of the IOPC”.  Watch the video to learn which case this quote was related to.  Find out how the case ended by reading our latest #ImpactReport:  ▶ https://rb.gy/0hxien 

We provide a range of initiatives to help our employees take care of their psychological wellbeing. However, due to the nature of our work many of our employees are exposed to distressing materials and events, and stories from individuals in extreme distress – which can be challenging, impactful, and traumatic. In recognition of this, we recently launched an important wellbeing initiative to help our employees who are exposed to any potentially distressing material. The new ‘wellbeing check ins’ take place every four months, and are an ongoing, proactive and preventative initiative to safeguard and enhance the wellbeing of our employees. It gives them the opportunity to speak one-to-one with an external psychotherapist with specialist knowledge of trauma, and anything that they discuss will be confidential. Before the launch, our dedicated wellbeing consultant, Jo Newman, consulted and collaborated with our employees and trauma experts to ensure that the initiative would significantly improve wellbeing in our organisation. In particular, our ‘distressing materials’ working group provided invaluable support and insight, which contributed to the success of this initiative. We were pleased to have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from our employees. Last October, 85% of respondents found their wellbeing check in was very useful in supporting their overall wellbeing, and 83% of respondents found the session very useful in supporting them in their work. Here’s some of the feedback they shared:    “If felt good to talk and to acknowledge the challenges faced working at the IOPC and the repeated exposure to trauma. It was good to talk about signs to look out for and mechanisms to support my wellbeing, not just in work, but within my personal life too.”    “It helps me to understand that I am not a robot and that the stressful work I undertake needs to be recognised as such by me. This increases my resilience as I am able to take practical steps to ensure that I keep on top of work stresses. It also identifies for me a route that I can go down for support, should I need it.”    “I wasn't sure about attending the session as I am not suffering particularly with my welfare at present but as I know I have in the past I thought it would be useful to attend, and I am so glad I did. Would definitely encourage the "prevention is better than cure" approach as now I feel much better equipped to deal with things that are likely to occur again in the future due to the work that I do.” 

How can you make a complaint about the #police?    In addition to overseeing the police complaints system in England and Wales, our website allows you to make a complaint which is sent directly to the police force or organisation concerned to consider.    ▶️ https://rb.gy/110ded 

The national Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) has today published an update on the plan and its progress. This report features contributions from 12 different organisations, including views from the policing minister, senior police officers, agencies in the criminal justice system, as well as representatives from civil society groups and the National Black Police Association. IOPC Director General, Rachel Watson is featured acknowledging the efforts across policing to address racial discrimination and improve the handling of related complaints. She points out that progress has been made, but that there is still more work to be done. At the heart of the PRAP update is a new anti-racism commitment for policing, which sets out the goals of an anti-racist police service, describes anti-racism in a policing context, and the action required to achieve it. The IOPC welcomes the PRAP and the commitment by all chief constables to deliver an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory service and foster a workplace that upholds these principles. Read the full update here: https://rb.gy/gfl1uj

On International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we reiterate our call for ‘focused and memorable change’ to remove racial disparities in the use of police powers  including stop and search, use of force and strip searches, particularly on children. We first made this call in our recent #RaceDiscrimination report which we published together with a package of tools to improve police handling of complaints involving race discrimination.    We looked at over 300 of our investigations and reviews of complaints where race discrimination was a potential consideration to better understand, challenge and address the issue of race discrimination in policing. Read the report to learn more:   ▶️https://rb.gy/4daewx 

We are pleased to have delivered three sessions this week to the NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) as part of our ‘Advocacy Awareness’ programme. Members of our engagement team enjoyed speaking to NYAS frontline staff and joining them in supporting, safeguarding and empowering children, young people and adults across England and Wales. Our programme not only educates and empowers young professionals who work with communities  but also teaches them how to navigate the police complaints system as an advocate and help people to make a complaint. If you are interested in our team delivering an advocacy session, virtually or in-person at your organisation, please get in touch by emailing: stakeholderengagement@policeconduct.gov.uk. To learn more about supporting people through the police complaints system, download our ‘advocates information pack for professionals’: ▶️https://rb.gy/t0x7zz

We were delighted to recently present a session about improving policing practice and addressing issues in the police complaints system at an annual security meeting hosted by Alpha Omega WPS Foundation. Emma and Jonathan from our stakeholder engagement team delivered the session which was followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions, and a speech by the High Sheriff of Cheshire, Clare Hayward. Other attendees included the Police Commissioner of Cheshire, Dan Price and the Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Marilyn Houston. The event also featured an opening speech by the Deputy Mayor of Crewe Town - Councillor Sally Graham. Learn more about our work:  ▶️ https://rb.gy/hqgltq

“Engaging with police officers' of the future is key to developing accountability in the policing system” – Amanda Rowe, Director of Engagement    We recently delivered a session to policing degree students at Edge Hill University about our work at the IOPC. Director of Engagement Amanda Rowe spoke about our role within the police complaints system, how we approach investigations and undertake our oversight work. The students heard about how we identify trends and our thematic work in areas like race discrimination and violence against women and girls (VAWG). We also discussed the various career routes and paths within our organisation, and what they involve on a day-to-day basis.   Learn more about our work:  ▶️ https://rb.gy/hqgltq  

This #InternationalWomensDay, we are highlighting our ‘You have a voice’ campaign which raised awareness of the police complaints system to build trust and confidence among women and girls who are victims and survivors, and those who support them. Our range of dedicated products are available to organisations and advocates who support women and girls, and can be downloaded from the website link below. The products include: 📒An advocates information pack for professionals to help them advocate for and support women and girls in navigating the police complaints process. 📃Posters and leaflets with information about our campaign and how to make a complaint.  🪪 A fold-able business card containing helpful information, which is disguised with a neutral false cover. This has been designed specifically for women and girls who are vulnerable to abuse. Find out more about our ‘You have a Voice’ campaign: ▶️https://lnkd.in/evKwTa65