Home Affairs committee evidence session with Police and Crime Commissioners on police conduct and complaints

The Home Affairs Committee continues its inquiry into police conduct and complaints on Wednesday 3 March when it takes evidence from Police and Crime Commissioners and academics.

Following reforms implemented in 2020, Police and Crime Commissioners are now responsible for dealing with certain complaint reviews for their local force. PCCs can also choose to further extend their responsibilities for police complaints by adopting one of three models: Model 1, the minimum level of responsibility where all PCCs are mandated to deal with certain complaint reviews for their local force; Model 2, PCCs are responsible for managing the recording stage and Model 3, PCCs are also responsible for managing the recording stage and all complainant communication throughout the process.

The session will give the Home Affairs Committee the opportunity to question three Police and Crime Commissioners, covering South Wales, North Yorkshire and Avon and Somerset, on their role within the complaints and discipline system, including the Models they have chosen to adopt. It will also gain the perspectives of academics on the impact of wider changes to the system, including the impact on public confidence and on the role of the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Witness schedule

Panel 1

• Alun Michael, PCC for South Wales
• Sue Mountstevens, PCC for Avon and Somerset
• Julia Mulligan, PFCC for North Yorkshire

Panel 2

• Dr Graham Smith, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Manchester
• Dr Clare Torrible, Lecturer in Law, University of Bristol Law School