IOPC Investigations Leave Officers In Limbo

OFFICERS are being treated unfairly and are being left in limbo due to lengthy IOPC investigations, according to Essex Police Federation.

The independent police watchdog has been widely criticised for taking too long to resolve cases – with two- or three-year investigations not uncommon. One high profile case involving Met Police officers took 11 years to conclude.

Steve Taylor, Essex Police Federation Chairman, is backing calls by the Police Federation of England and Wales for time limits to be imposed on investigations, as extended cases can cause extreme stress on officers’ wellbeing and careers.

He said: “Time limits on investigations are absolutely needed. For far too long officers have had to struggle under the burden of investigations.

“It’s entirely disproportionate and it’s at complete odds with any comprehension of natural justice whatsoever. It’s encouraging that we’re having conversations, that we’re getting a bit of movement on this matter, thanks to the Home Affairs Select Committee investigation into the IOPC.

“It’s wholly unfair for them to leave police officers who, to the best of my knowledge, are the only class of people in the country who are subject to this type of thing, leave them in limbo, under investigation with, in the worst cases their liberty, not only their profession, hanging in the balance.

“It’s wholly unacceptable, and a time limit is definitely needed.”

The PFEW wants that time limit to be set to 12 months, adequate time they believe to resolve most investigations.

Steve added: “I think 12 months is a really generous limit for the IOPC to have. My colleagues professionally turn around investigations far quicker.

“But we might have to take a graduated approach to this, and in the first instance let’s secure a 12-month limit before looking at that again if necessary.

“It’s not unreasonable for the public to demand the very best of the IOPC when they’re charged with investigating the police and I don’t think the public would accept that they could have officers under investigation for 12 months without any kind of movement or resolution.”