IPCC Survey: ethnic minorities believe that they will be treated fairly
London, 23 June 2009

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has today (23 June 2009) published its 2008 Public Confidence Survey. Issues such 'Stop & Search' and the Jean Charles de Menezes case have not dented the public's confidence in the IPPC among ethnic minorities, it seems. In this year's public confidence survey (2008) 88% of respondents said that they thought the IPCC would treat a complaint against police fairly. In ethnic minority communities this assertion has seen a marked improvement - rising from 71% in 2007 to 77% in 2008. However, despite these improvements and the growing awareness of the IPCC, responses among ethnic minority communities are still low compared to those of white respondents.

Public confidence in the IPCC and in the wider policing complaints system is an integral factor in how the IPCC measures success, accountability, use of resources and importantly how it looks at areas for improvement. Results also showed marked improvements among the ethnic minority communities in other areas, including:

- 42% (33% in 2004) of people had heard of the IPCC
- 67% (61% in 2004) of people were happy with the contact with police
- 59% (33% in 2004) thought the IPCC was independent of the police

IPCC Commissioner, Mike Franklin, said:"While it is encouraging to see the levels of public confidence are increasing, the survey highlights the fact that there is still work to be done especially within ethnic minority communities. For example, the issue of stop and search is of major concern for these communities and negative experiences are impacting on their confidence in both the police and the police complaints system. For this reason, awareness and understanding of the IPCC's independence, especially within ethnic minority communities, has to be a priority for the IPCC and while 60% is a positive result, we cannot and will not be complacent."

IPCC Chairman, Nick Hardwick said:"Our work is often controversial. This does not and must not affect public confidence in the IPCC. These figures show that over an incredibly busy period we have not only maintained public confidence but in many areas we have seen improvement. That said - we must not be complacent. These figures continue to get better year on year and we will do everything in our power to ensure this is maintained. "

As part of its' "guardianship" role, the IPCC responds not only to specific investigations or cases, but also interact with communities, stakeholders, policing authorities and families who feel most affected by the policing complaints system - and the wider criminal justice system as a whole.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) became operational in April 2004. It replaced the Police complaints Authority (PCA). It is a Non-Departmental Public body (NDPB), funded by the Home Office, but by law entirely independent of the police, interest groups and political parties and whose decisions in cases are free from government involvement.

The IPCC is responsible for ensuring complaints against the police are dealt with effectively and when something has gone wrong, the IPCC helps police learn lessons and improve the way they work. The IPCC is run by a Chair, Nick Hardwick, ten Operational Commissioners (including two Deputy Chairs) and two Non-executive Commissioners. They guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. They are supported by more than 100 independent police investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.

When a case is referred to the IPCC, an assessment of the evidence available at that time is carried out and a decision is made as to the level of investigation that should take place. There are four levels of investigation:

o Independent - where the IPCC uses its own investigators and the police are not involved at all;

o Managed - where an IPCC investigator has direction and control of police resources and leads the investigation;

o Supervised - where the police force lead the investigation but a member of the IPCC staff monitors it;

o Local - where the police investigate the complaint or area of concern themselves

From 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 353 independent and 759 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police and other agencies. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.

Approximately 4000 people were surveyed by BMRB Limited and the results compared with the IPCC's 2004 and 2007 Public Confidence Survey.