IPCC Launches Review Into How It Deals With Its Most Serious Cases

Following eight years of experience in carrying out independent investigations into the most serious cases the Independent Police Complaints Commission is launching a review in to how it deals with deaths in custody and deaths following police contact.

The review, which has been the subject of discussion since the autumn of 2011, will look at how the IPCC handles cases where Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) is engaged. The review will focus on the IPCC’s powers, its resources and approach towards dealing with cases of this kind.

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The IPCC has kicked off the review by contacting a number of stakeholders, including those who have an interest in and experience of the IPCC’s work. Those contacted include bodies such as Inquest, the Police Action Lawyers Group (PALG) as well as policing bodies such as ACPO, and MPs and academics. Many of the families and police forces affected by previous IPCC investigations are also being contacted. At this early stage of the review the IPCC is starting out by asking these groups a number of key questions which will help to shape what the review will look like.

IPCC Deputy Chair Deborah Glass said:
"This review is a significant milestone for the IPCC. Eight years ago there were no independent investigations at all into deaths involving the police – everything was investigated by the police themselves. We now carry out over 160 investigations a year into the most serious cases, many of them involving death. They are, inevitably, our most challenging cases. We are particularly keen to invite our critics to help us look at how we approach these cases and if there is anything that we can do to improve the system and the way that we work.

"Our focus will be the powers that we have, the resources available to us and the approach that we take to these cases. Our first stage is to make sure we are asking the right questions and involving the right people, so we are seeking feedback on that. The review may well identify areas for legislative change or other matters outside our remit. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible on how we can improve our own practices and – working with other parties like Coroners - raise public confidence in the system. ”

• to take stock after eight years of operation and identify any changes / improvements that are required to the IPCC’s approach, the resources allocated to this area and the IPCC’s powers;
• to engage extensively with ALL stakeholders particularly individuals who have been involved in the IPCC’s work in this area to listen to their views and concerns;
• to improve public understanding of the IPCC’s work in this area and thus public confidence.

• Do you have any comments on the scope of the review - is there anything else you think should be included?
• How would you/your organisation like to be involved with the review?
• The IPCC is considering creating a steering group for the review with external stakeholders being represented? Do you think this is the right approach?
• What advice and assistance could you offer us to engage with some of the groups we have identified such as families and communities?
• Is there anyone else we should be engaging with?
• Do you have any other comments on either the scope or the methodology?

The next stage of the review will start once all correspondence has been received and we aim to announce the next stage of the review in April 2012. The closing date for those wishing to help inform the review is the 20th March 2012.

Anyone wishing to take part in the review or with responses to the above questions is asked to contact the review team at the following address Article2_Review@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk by 20th March 2012.

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