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Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Monday, 15 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Independent Office for Police Conduct: Complaints

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to prevent abuse of the Independent Office for Police Conduct regime in relation to (a) politically-motivated complaints, and (b) complaints which do not relate to the current policing responsibilities of the combined authority mayor.

Answer

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has a limited role in the complaints system in relation to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and elected politicians exercising PCC functions, such as combined authority mayors.

Such complaints are dealt with in the first instance by local Police and Crime Panels, which are responsible for handling all complaints about PCCs. They can refer a complaint about a PCC (or mayor with PCC functions) to the IOPC only where there is an indication that a criminal offence has been committed. Handling should include local arrangements to rule out vexatious or politically motived complaints. The IOPC determines whether it is necessary for it to investigate such referrals.

We expect to set out successor arrangements for the scrutiny and oversight of police governance in the forthcoming Police Reform Bill.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
9585
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Complaints Combined authorities Mayors Independent Office for Police Conduct
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk