Police gripes on the increase
The number of grievances against officers in Bedfordshire went up by seven per cent to 352 in 2009/10 compared to 330 the previous year.
That figure has shot up 119 per cent since the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who published the figures, was formed in 2003/04.
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Hide AdA single complaint case can comprise a number of allegations, so the total number of allegations against Beds Police increased to 561 to 527 - the equivalent of 229 allegations made per 1,000 officers.
This year 80 people complained of rudeness by officers compared with 104 last year, while allegations of neglect of duty were up from 130 to 164 with 48 assault claims made compared to 30 the previous year.
IPCC commissioner for Bedfordshire, Rachel Cerfontyne said: “Last year there was a further increase in the number of people complaining about the police. Prior to the introduction of the IPCC in 2004, the number of people complaining was falling and later research showed only 10% of people who felt like complaining actually did.
“I believe improved confidence in and access to the complaints system has encouraged those who previously were not inclined to complain that making a complaint is worthwhile.
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Hide Ad“The number of ‘rude and late’ complaints highlights the standards expected of the police service and the need to improve how they interact with the public.
“However, while some aspects can be improved without cost, such as through better leadership, smaller police budgets will present a challenge around levels of service and public expectation. This will require forces to develop an open dialogue with the public.”
Of the complaints made, 29 per cent were actually investigated, with a further 10 per cent of allegations withdrawn.
Eleven per cent were granted a dispensation - cases where there were reasons for not taking the complaint forward, for example insufficient information, and 273, almost half of all the allegations made, were dealt with locally with a police supervisor agreeing a resolution with a complainent.