Rude, lazy and intolerant - the public's verdict on Britain's police as complaints against forces hit a new high of 35,000

Complaints against police have reached a record high with thousands of officers accused of being rude and lazy.

Almost 35,000 cases were brought against forces in England and Wales last year, according to the independent police watchdog.

The most common complaint, making up almost one third of cases, was that police neglected their duties.

This was followed by allegations of 'incivility, impoliteness and intolerance' against members of the public, including victims of crime.

The figures led to calls for a radical overhaul of the system of making and recording complaints.

According to the latest figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, 38 of the 43 forces recorded a rise in complaints.

There were 34,863 cases involving 61,694 allegations in 2013/14. This was a 15 per cent increase in cases on the previous year and the highest since the watchdog was established in 2004.

The largest number of allegations – 18,624 – were for neglect or other failures in duty by officers and civilian staff. This was followed by rudeness (9,165), assault (5,925) and 'oppressive conduct' or harassment (3,880).

The largest percentage increase in complaint cases year on year was recorded by Northumbria Police. They rose by 98 per cent from 401 to 794.

The next biggest increase was recorded by City of London Police, where complaints rose by 90 per cent from 123 in 2012-13 to 234 in 2013-14. But the City force said this was due to the addition of complaints against Action Fraud, the much-criticised national anti-fraud helpline.

Dame Anne Owers, chairman of the IPCC, highlighted a postcode lottery in the number of complaints upheld by forces and the proportion of decisions overturned by the watchdog.

'As we have said many times, this reflects a complaints system which is complex, bureaucratic and over-focused on blame,' she added. The IPCC upheld 49 per cent of appeals against cases which police did not even record as complaints – down from 57 per cent in 2012/2013.

The watchdog also upheld 44 per cent of appeals against complaints that had been investigated by the local force. Since 2013, forces have dealt with some appeals against rejected complaints in less serious cases.

Alex Duncan, of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, blamed the increase in complaints on government cuts.

'The biggest rise is due to incivility and neglect of duty and while there is no excuse for this, there are far fewer officers with far more to do and unfortunately overworked and exhausted people are often less tolerant and understanding,' he said.

Mr Duncan added that forces should not be responsible for investigating their own officers and all cases should be handed to an independent watchdog.

The IPCC said some of the increase is due to a broadening of the definition of a complaint.

Dame Anne said: 'We urgently need radical reforms to the system as a whole, to make it more accessible and straightforward, and to strengthen independent oversight.'

Cleveland Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer, who has national responsibilities for policing standards, said the handling of police complaints is under review. 'We take complaints very seriously and will always listen to and take heed of those who report any dissatisfaction,' she added.

Original report here

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