There has been a dramatic rise in complaints made against Gwent Police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
In 2014-15 the IPCC received 398 complaints against Gwent Police – up 28% on the year.
The rise compare with just a 6% increase in complaints nationally – but the number of appeals aagianst complaint outcomes did fall by 15%.
Gwent Police upheld 18% of complaints and a quarter of its investigation appeals, while the IPCC, who step in if a complainant is dissatisfied, upheld 36% of appeals.
Dame Anne Owers, Chair of the IPCC, said that the complaints process is “failing”.
She said: “Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well.
“However, the underlying problem is the system itself. We welcome the fact that the government proposes to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline a system that at present satisfies neither those who need it nor those who have to operate it.”
A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “Gwent Police always endeavours to provide the best possible service to the public, however we realise that this is not always possible.
“We actively encourage people to contact us if the quality of the service they receive is not of the standard they expect.
“When we do receive a complaint we record it and attempt to resolve it quickly and efficiently in a professional and impartial way, ensuring that any opportunities for improvement in our service are identified.”
Meanwhile, there was a 9% rise in hate crime reported to Gwent Police in the last year.
Across Wales crimes targeting victims because of their motivated race, religion, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation increased by 20%.
Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston, said the increase was due to better recording and the confidence of victims to report crimes.
Hate crime is a dubious thing. A crime is a crime and we are all equal under the law, this attitude borders ( I said borders ) on making some more equal than others. Or at least its implementation can.
100% Correct
Little wonder complaints are up, Gwent Police are about as much use as a chocolate fire guard and would struggle to solve The Sun coffee break crossword, as for the toothless IPCC well they’re not much better, the so called independent police complaints commission is simply cushy jobs for retired police officers who are more bias than Welsh BBC Sport.
Urgh! What is a hate crime? Who has the authority to rule it as hate? When does an opinion become gate speech?