Introduction from Michael Lockwood, Director General
The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last May was a tragic event which shone a spotlight on police accountability, use of force and discrimination.
Whilst we have a different system of policing and police accountability in the UK, recent events in the United States reinforce the importance of the IOPC in providing independent and robust oversight of policing in England and Wales.
Policing in the UK is by consent, which makes accountability and public trust paramount. Our work provides assurance to the community that policing practice is properly undertaken and reminds police of their obligations to uphold professional standards of behaviour.
We continue to investigate hundreds of cases each year where police use of force, discrimination, abuse of power, deaths following police contact and corruption are called into question. Our investigations help determine whether there was misconduct involved and we seek advice from the Crown Prosecution Service where we believe conduct is criminal. Our work is free from interference by police or government.
The majority of police officers are honest and maintain the high standards of professional behaviour which the public expect of them. For the small number that don’t, it is important there is accountability and, where appropriate, learning.
Police are held to account in many ways – through disciplinary hearings, through the courts and through learning recommendations we make to police forces. Since we were established three years ago, we have made more than 400 learning recommendations to further improve policing practice across forces.
We will also continue to investigate allegations of inappropriate use of force and discrimination in policing and expect to share emerging findings from the work we have been doing on race-based discrimination and Taser use during summer.”
You can also read a blog on our website by Sal Naseem, London Regional Director and Strategic Lead for Discrimination, on the work we’ve been doing to look at race-based discrimination in policing.
Michael Lockwood
Director General
Improvements to timeliness – 91% of core investigations completed in 12 months
We have made signficant improvement to the timeliness of our investigations. In the 2020/21 financial year, we completed 460 independent investigations (426 core and 34 major investigations) and 91% of core investigations were completed within 12 months. This exceeds our target of 85% for this year. The proportion of core investigations completed within 12 months has improved from 69% three years ago when we became the IOPC.
A small number of the investigations we start each year take longer than 12 months. These are complex investigations, which often involve historical allegations. These investigations can be delayed by concurrent inquests or criminal proceedings, legal challenges and other complications. Our 2020/21 annual report, which will include more information on our performance, will be published in the new year.
Remembering Stephen Lawrence
On 22 April 1993, shockwaves swept across the UK as news of Stephen Lawrence’s murder was reported. At just 18 years of age, Stephen was the victim of an unprovoked, racist attack which led to his death. The subsequent investigation and public enquiry highlighted institutional racism within police forces and cited police culture, operations and practices as major factors.
It was the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report, written by Sir William Macpherson, which brought about the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the forerunner of who we are today, the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Our mission is intrinsically linked to Stephen and we have a responsibility in our work to honour his life and legacy. Read a blog on reflections about Stephen Lawrence day by Director General, Michael Lockwood.
Hillsborough ruling at the Denton, Foster and Metcalf trial
As a result of our independent investigation into the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, three defendants – retired senior South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers Donald Denton and Alan Foster, and the solicitor acting for SYP, Peter Metcalf – were charged with perverting the course of justice in relation to amendments made to SYP officers’ accounts in 1989.
The judge for the trial, which started on 19 April, has ruled that the case against all three defendants should be dismissed. This ruling is based on a legal argument, not the evidence we were part of providing. The CPS has decided not to appeal the ruling.
IOPC gives evidence to Home Affairs Committee inquiry into police conduct and complaints
Director General Michael Lockwood, Deputy Director General Operations Claire Bassett, and Director Strategy and Impact Kathie Cashell all gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee as part of their inquiry into police conduct and complaints.
A transcript of the session on 19 May 2021 and copies of our written submissions to the inquiry can be found on the parliamentary committee website.
Officer sentenced for manslaughter of Dalian Atkinson
Following our investigation, a West Mercia Police officer was convicted of unlawful act manslaughter for the death of Dalian Atkinson and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. A jury found PC Benjamin Monk guilty of killing Mr Atkinson on 15 August 2016, at the end of a seven-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
IOPC Regional Director, Derrick Campbell, said: “Dalian Atkinson was a much-loved family member, friend and well-respected footballer. The jury’s decision highlights the importance of independent scrutiny when someone dies following police contact. It is the first time in over thirty years in this country that a police officer has been convicted for manslaughter in the course of their duties.” Read the full media release.
Helping improve policing practice
The complaints and investigations we work on provide useful insights and learning that can inform policy, practice and processes. This is important in helping to reduce the risk of events recurring, in protecting people from harm or in better supporting police in their work at a local or national level. Some examples of learning from our recent work includes:
National recommendations being implemented by police forces following Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack
National recommendations to improve police management of terrorism offenders are being implemented following two of our investigations, carried out after the terrorist attack by Usman Khan at Fishmongers’ Hall.
Training for officers on the types of terrorism offenders they are managing, and the different risks that they may pose, is being developed and is expected to start soon. This was just one of several IOPC national learning recommendations, which was made early during our investigations and accepted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) in March 2021.
We began our investigations after Usman Khan attacked and killed Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones at a Learning Together prisoner rehabilitation course at Fishmongers’ Hall in London on 29 November 2019. On 28 May 2021 the inquest into Jack and Saskia’s deaths concluded they were unlawfully killed.
An inquest into the fatal shooting of Mr Khan by police on London Bridge ended on 10 June when the jury concluded he was lawfully killed. Read our recommendations.
Nine national recommendations made on use of WhatsApp messaging system by police officers
We made nine recommendations to all police forces in England and Wales to ensure a consistent approach to use of WhatsApp for work purposes by police officers. An IOPC investigation prompted us to carry out a review of whether and how WhatsApp or any other instant messaging platforms are being used by the 43 forces in England and Wales, and the nine organisations with law enforcement, investigatory powers or operational roles.
We identified an appetite from police forces for guidance in this area, specifically around identifying and managing risks when officers use WhatsApp. Potential risks include sharing information on an incorrect group chat and disclosing details to the wrong people, which can be compounded when officers communicate with large community groups and where the mobile phone is used for both personal and professional purposes. Read our recommendations.
Learning recommendations to Northamptonshire Police on recording reasons for placing a juvenile in police cell
An 11 year old boy was arrested following an allegation of a sexual offence against another young person. Both children were residents at a care home and therefore safeguarding issues were considered by the police. He was detained overnight in an adult cell. This appeal identified learning around the custody processes used to authorise the detention of young people. Read our recommendations.
Investigations following deaths, serious injuries and police use of force
Police forces must refer to us all deaths or serious injuries that happen during or following police contact. Investigating these matters is one of our key functions.
Suffolk officers face gross incompetency hearing after a man died following scuffle at resort
Two officers face a gross incompetency hearing following our investigation into the death of man arrested following an altercation with another guest at a hotel resort. The man had been restrained by security officials and then the police were called and the man was arrested. The inquest found that police officers missed the opportunity to see that the man was unresponsive and needed medical intervention before placing him in the police vehicle.
Essex Police officers acted appropriately prior to double fatal A13 crash
Our investigation found that two officers acted appropriately when alerted to a motorist who was driving on the carriageway of the A13 in the wrong direction. An elderly woman and middle-aged man both died at the scene. Our seven-month investigation concluded there was no evidence that the actions of the police directly or indirectly contributed to their deaths and no conduct issues were identified. All officers were treated as witnesses throughout.
Met officer dismissed without notice after using excessive force on teenage girl
An officer was dismissed after a police disciplinary panel concluded he used excessive force on a vulnerable 17-year-old girl. A teenager, who has learning disabilities, became distressed and ran off from a group on an escorted walk. The girl was near a main road and flagged down a passing police car. During police contact she tried to get out of the police car and was Tasered and beaten 30 times.
Investigation into use of Taser on man at Greater Manchester petrol station concludes
We concluded our investigation into police use of Taser on a man in a petrol station forecourt. Officers suspected the man, who was driving with a five-year-old boy in the passenger seat, was intoxicated. The man did not comply when the police attempted to breathalyse him. When they attempted to arrest the man, the incident escalated and resulted in the discharge of a Taser seven times.
Investigations into other serious and sensitive matters
Former Lancashire detective jailed following inappropriate contact with women
A former officer was jailed for 10 months after admitting misconduct in public office. We looked into the detective’s contact with five women following a complaint, which was referred by the force. We found personal and intimate images on the officer’s personal mobile phone, which he took from devices provided to the police by two victims of crime. The officer had examined their devices in the course of his duties.
Two Met officers charged over crime scene photographs
Following our investigation, two officers were charged with misconduct in public office for taking photographs at a crime scene in Wembley last June and subsequently sharing them. We conducted a criminal investigation following a referral from the MPS after the deaths of the two girls. In October 2020 we referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which has now authorised the charges.
Investigation of racial profiling complaint against Cambridgeshire police
Our investigation into the questioning of a Black man found no case to answer for misconduct, although the force agreed one of the officers involved should receive further diversity training. A complaint of racial profiling was made against a police officer who stopped and questioned the man in his car and a video of the incident was shared on social media.
Former Thames Valley Police officer would have been dismissed for treatment of a teenager in custody
A disciplinary hearing concluded that a former officer would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned. The outcome follows our investigation which looked at the officer’s treatment of the teenage boy in custody. It was alleged that he struck the boy in the face and then removed his clothing, leaving him naked until a detention officer came into the cell to assist him.
Cheshire Constabulary staff member charged following anti-corruption investigation
A Cheshire staff member is due in court next month following our directed investigation into the alleged unauthorised disclosure of information. We directed the investigation, which was conducted by the National Crime Agency on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary. The woman was on secondment as an intelligence analyst at the time of the alleged offences and was charged with unauthorised access to computer material and perverting the course
of justice.
Engaging with the community and creating awareness of our work and the police complaints system is one of our key priorities. Our stakeholder team joined 96 meetings this quarter to talk with different people and community groups about our work and the police complaints system. These meetings included regular sessions with local groups to promote dialogue, discussions with representatives from the BAME community to talk about areas of concern, and workshops with young people to create awareness of the IOPC.
This quarter we met with our External Stakeholder Reference Group, which comprises representatives from charity and campaigning organisations, policing organisations and central government. We presented an update on our race discrimination thematic work and shared draft recommendations from our Youth Panel’s regional engagement sessions. The group shared a range of insights, including how intimidating interactions with the police can have a negative impact on young people, which in turn sets a precedent for the future interactions.
As part of our priority to work with others to improve the police complaints system, we started the Future Design project to shape our processes and how we will work in the future. We supported our Future Design project team to engage with other regulatory and oversight bodies to gather insight and good practice. Areas of focus included decision making, review processes, risk management and quality assurance. These insights will help to inform our proposals for change.
Equality and diversity
Director General, Michael Lockwood joined a meeting with the Thurrock Fairness and Equality Challenge Panel, an independent group of community representatives working with local police. It was a good opportunity for us to listen to key leaders from local Black Asian and minority ethnic communities, residents and young people who live in Thurrock, and to discuss the current issues they are facing.
Regional Director London, Sal Naseem joined a ‘Blueprint for all’ (formerly the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Foundation) workshop and Regional Director North West, Amanda Rowe attended a community meeting on disproportionality in Merseyside. At the Ubuntu Multicultural Centre in Middlesbrough we ran an awareness raising session on the role of the IOPC and the police complaints system. We also participated in a session with Connecting Roma CIC, an organisation that works with the Roma community in Bradford.
Our Aspiring Professionals Programme encourages equal, diverse and inclusive recruitment. By engaging with organisations, individuals and youth groups we were able to promote the programme across the country to a diverse range of candidates. We received 119 applications and offered 12 places. Of the successful candidates, 75% came from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
Working with young people
This quarter our Youth Panel engaged with over 100 young people virtually. This included meeting with Fruitbowl SAYIT, a (LGBTQ) charity based in Sheffield, the Surrey Care Leavers Forum, and Young Devon (the largest young people’s charity in the South West). Our staff also met with the Kent group, Gifted Young Generation, and Surrey Children in Care Council.
Director General Michael Lockwood attended the Youth Panel meeting with Pembrokeshire Young Carers Service for carers aged 12+ (run by Action for Children). He also attended an event with the Student Commission on Racial Justice, which was hosted by Leaders Unlocked and explored young people’s experiences of racial equality.
More than 1,500 police officers and staff examined by the IOPC for conduct
Our new reports show for the first time the wide-ranging impact of our work. IOPC Outcomes Reports for 2018/19 and 2019/20 cover the IOPC’s first two full years in operation.
More than 1,500 police officers and staff faced examination by the IOPC for their conduct in two years. Of these, 58% (867) were either found to have a case to answer for misconduct or faced other action, such as unsatisfactory performance proceedings
We also made over 400 learning recommendations to police forces and policing bodies to improve policing practices through changes to policies, training, supervision and culture. This helps to improve the system so that mistakes are not repeated.
Investigation summaries published in April, May and June 2021
In the last quarter, we published summaries of 22 independent investigations closed recently. They covered the use of force during arrests, armed police response to acts of terror, abuse of power for sexual purpose, road traffic collisions during police pursuits, how forces responded to reports of missing persons and concerns for vulnerable people.
Find out how we are performing against our targets.
If you have any comments on Roundup, please let us know.
Read previous issues on our website.