Once the complaints were recorded, the available evidence indicates that WMP largely investigated them in line with the legislation and guidance of the time. The IOPC identified that, in total, WMP raised 220 actions related to the complaint investigations—more than it raised in its criminal investigation. Complainants and some witnesses (including some of those who had made an adverse comment) were contacted and asked to provide a further statement. Where WMP had identified relevant video footage, this was shown to witnesses. In some cases, officers who had been close to the alleged incident were contacted and also provided statements.
These tasks were the sort of things that would normally be expected when investigating complaints and, for the most part, the evidence indicates that the tasks were completed in accordance with legislation and guidance. The work completed was mostly documented, through statements taken and written updates to the actions.
The majority of the members of the public contacted by WMP in relation to investigating the complaints had no issues with what WMP did.
