Sussex Police Officers' Reps & Official Watchdog Row Over Investigation Delays

The staff association for police officers in Sussex has criticised the service's official watchdog for long delays in investigations before its some of its members were cleared of wrong-doing.

But, in a response this week, the Independent Office for Police Conduct claimed the officers' representatives' comments were "misleading".

By law, police officers cannot join a trade union — so the Police Federation of England and Wales takes the role of being the statutory representative for police Constables, Sergeants, Inspectors and Chief Inspectors.

The Federation branch covering Sussex Police has publicly complained about delays in investigations carried out by the police watchdog, whose delays, it said, had harmed officers' mental health.

It's now calling for investigations to be concluded within twelve months from the time any allegation is made.

Simon Steele, the Secretary of the Sussex Police Federation, said:

"Five of our officers were subjected to an investigation lasting five and a half years.

"Five and a half years where their lives were put on hold with their families living in fear of losing their main source of family income.

"Five and a half years where the officers' careers were put on hold.

"This can be significantly damaging to an officer's mental health and wellbeing and can have far reaching consequences.

"The Independent Office for Police Conduct appear to be completely oblivious to the damaging effects that an investigation of this length can cause.

"One of the officers attended a misconduct meeting and was completely exonerated.

"Subsequently the other three officers faced a five-day misconduct hearing and at its conclusion the panel exonerated the officers completely when they were found to have done absolutely nothing wrong.

"The IOPC walked away from that investigation with not even as much as an apology to the officers concerned."

But a spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said the criticism wasn't entirely fair, and came at a time when investigations were being conducted under untypical circumstances.

"The IOPC has made significant achievements in improving the timeliness of investigations and many of the delays which can occur are outside of our control. It is disappointing and misleading that the Police Federation has chosen not to reflect this in the information they have provided.

"Since becoming the IOPC, we've completed more than 1,350 investigations and 90% are now completed within 12 months. 

"New legislative reforms, which the IOPC called for, were implemented in February last year to further improve timeliness. 

"A small number of the 700 investigations we start each year take longer than 12 months.

"These are complex investigations, often looking at historical allegations and can be delayed by concurrent inquests or criminal proceedings, legal challenges and other complications which can delay an investigation.  

"Everyone in the police complaints system has a responsibility to work together to improve timeliness - including police forces, the Federation, the CPS and other parties." 

The IPOC added what it felt its responsibilities were regarding the mental health of police staff.

"When the IOPC is conducting an investigation we will liaise with the relevant staff in  the force to determine whether there are any issues that may impact on the subjects of investigation, or their families, before contacting them. 

"While information may be restricted, forces do have a safeguarding obligation to share limited, relevant information in order for us to complete risk assessments and plan for contact.

"We will also discuss with the force what support they can provide their staff during any IOPC-led investigation."