One police officer sitting in the office in front of a computer and writing a report

Holding Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to account


Holding Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to account for complaint handling

The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) (Amendment) Order 2021 requires Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) to publish the most recent Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) quarterly complaints data for their force and the IOPC annual statistics report, alongside a narrative setting out how the PCC is holding the chief officer to account, and the PCC’s assessment of their own performance in carrying out their other complaints handling functions. The Deputy Mayor under delegated authority from the Mayor acts as PCC in Greater Manchester.

The Order requires that the IOPC data and reports are to be published on the PCC’s website within one month of their publication by the IOPC, and the narrative and assessment are to be published annually, within one month of the date of publication of the IOPC’s annual statistics report. The annual statistic report can be found below:

View the IOPC’s annual statistics report (external website)

The IOPC oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales and regularly publishes data about police complaints handling and recommendations for police forces. Figures from Greater Manchester can be found on the link below:

View latest information about Police complaints information bulletin Greater Manchester Police - Q4 - 23-24 (external website)

How the Deputy Mayor holds Greater Manchester Police to account for complaint handling

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor have the responsibility of both appointing the Chief Constable and holding them to account regarding complaint handling during their tenure.

 

The Deputy Mayor holds the PSD to account by:

  • Holding Quarterly meetings with the Deputy Chief Constable and the Head of PSD.

These meetings are an opportunity for the Deputy Mayor to directly scrutinise the working of PSD and highlight any specific concerns regarding the handling of complaints.

Since February 2020, the Deputy Mayor has had the responsibility for conducting reviews into the handling of some complaints made against GMP.

The Deputy Mayor monitors PSD’s performance when handling complaints through the police complaint reviews process:

  • Reviews look at whether PSD’s handling of the complaint was reasonable and proportionate.
  • If a complaint has been found to have not been handled reasonably and proportionately, the Deputy Mayor can make recommendations for PSD to take further action.
  • Quarterly meetings are held between GMCA Police Complaint Review Team and PSD to discuss issues raised through the review process in the previous quarter to improve in complaint handling.

need update from MA

Each year the Deputy Mayor asks PSD to produce an annual report which is focused on the performance and structures of the directorate.  This report includes an outline of: 

  • The PSD, its composition and resourcing
  • Themes and trends in complaints (?)
  • Key statistics, such as volume, timeliness and referrals
  • Misconduct
  • Vetting
  • Counter corruption work

Previous PSD annual reports can be found here:

(attachments of review reports)

As per the Police (Complaint and Misconduct) Regulations 2020, GMP are required to notify the Deputy Mayor of misconduct investigations that are taking 12 months or longer to finalise this must include the reason for the delay, progress of the investigation and an estimate of when the investigation will be concluded.

Below is a breakdown of the number of notifications received in each year relating to PSD investigations taking 12 months or longer:  

 

GMP

IOPC

2024

54

15

2023

3

1

2022

9

0

2021

3

0

2020

0

0

There are currently no outstanding historic HMICFRS or IOPC actions relating to complaint handling. Outstanding matters have been progressed satisfactorily and signed off.

GMCA are due to introduce a dip sampling process to monitor GMP’s performance when handling complaints.

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