Big increase in complaints against police

Neal Keeling

September 24, 2009

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Peter Fahy

COMPLAINTS by the public against Greater Manchester Police have risen dramatically in the last year.

There were 2,102 complaints in 2008/09 compared to 1,794 the year before - up 17 per cent.

Over the same period, complaints against Cheshire Police dropped substantially and those against Lancashire Police went down slightly.

Figures released today by the Independent Police Complaints Commission show the complaints against GMP - led by Chief Constable Peter Fahy since July 2008 - contained 3,440 allegations, a rise of 3pc.

GMP said the increase is due to a number of high-profile disorder incidents such as the Uefa Cup final riot involving Rangers fans.

Most allegations related to neglect or failure in duty (18pc) and incivility, impoliteness and intolerance (25pc) - essentially claims that officers either failed to do their job or were rude.

The claims were dealt with in several ways, with 25pc being formally investigated and 51pc dealt with by `local resolution', with a police supervisor giving an explanation or apology.

Of those investigated, 11pc were substantiated, compared to a national average of 10pc.

Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the north west, said: "Most complaints centre around allegations that officers have either failed to do their job properly or been rude to the public.

"Whether the allegations or perceptions are correct or not, it is clearly an area where further work from police forces is needed."

Cheshire Police received 436 complaints - a drop of 17pc - and Lancashire's complaint total fell by 1pc to 836. Nationally during 2008/09, complaints rose 8pc to a total of 31,259.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "We acknowledge complaint cases and allegations have increased and our focus is to reduce that.

"However, multiple complaints arose from high-profile isolated incidents such as the disorder we had to deal with following the Uefa Cup final.

"It is pleasing to note that more than half of all complaints are resolved at a local level. This is important because it helps foster trust and good relations."

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neil sk6 (24/09/2009 at 08:05)

This is down to a few rogue police officers.....most do a fantastic job. Some officers think they are above the law, this needs to be stamped out now.

Steve an alternative view (24/09/2009 at 08:38)

It would be interesting to know how many of those complaints were made by people arrested for criminal offences. How many were from people who had an axe to grind with the police because they had got a speeding ticket or the like. How many were specifically about the behaviour of police officers, how many were specifically about PCSO’s and how many were specifically about civilian staff.

At the end of the day we the public don’t like being told we are wrong or in trouble which is a significant part of the police job. We all moan and whine when we get caught and some even complain. And we hate it when we are told something isn’t a police matter and that we should be sorting something out ourselves as adults instead of involving the police.

If police officers weren’t doing their job then the public couldn’t complain as there would be no interaction between the two, therefore the GMP should be applauded for such hard and arduous work as indicated by the increase in complaints

Of Denton, Tameside (24/09/2009 at 08:47)

Having tried to make complaints against GMP myself i was shocked to find how difficult it is to raise a complaint against the police and there seems to be no formal process of complaint within GMP. It would be interesting to know how they classified a complaint.

The Man, Sat on a chair (24/09/2009 at 10:46)

The police don't help themselves with there attitude.
And they wonder why they get little help from the public.

Mark,Radcliffe. (24/09/2009 at 11:03)

Complaints against the Police in Gr Manchester rises from July 2008 whereas Cheshire falls...Mr Fahy gets appointed to GMP from Cheshire in July 2008....Dont you just love Statistics.

Deejay, Bury (24/09/2009 at 12:38)

Mark Radcliffe - I made a similar comment this morning, but looks like the thought police have prohibited it.
The common factor in Cheshire's success and Manchester's disastrous increase is Fahey - perhaps it's time to accept that he isn't up to the job.

Is It Me? (24/09/2009 at 15:30)

Who would be a policeman in this day and age? It must be very frustrating dealing with semi- illiterate lowlife. Some people, you can't reason with therefore you have to speak to them in language that they understand!

mark quck (24/09/2009 at 17:43)

42% of the complaints said the police were rude.That means that the police were talking to them about something,generally the police say something to you when your doing something wrong.

Of Denton, Tameside (25/09/2009 at 10:31)

Good job he's a Government appointed official and not directly elected by the public or else he would probably be looking for a new job by now.

usman akhtar (20/11/2010 at 19:22)

hi ,my wife (lisa walsh) was married 8th feb 2010 ,and she told the registry office in manchester :i was not married or engaged anyway in the world.its her own statement what she said?bec marriage registry office have not record my marriage bec i was married in pakistan.why she telling lies to registry office?to getting marriage certificate that,s why his 2nd husband zabi khan he is student in manchester,he wants marriage certificate to apply the case to homeoffice to getting permently resident visa?that,s why she telling lies ,if she not telling lies he never get marriage certificate if he not get marriage certificate he not apply the case to homeoffice?if lisa walsh telling truth she was married in pakistan ,i do,n think so registry office give her certificate.i just need to know when she was standing on manchester court behalf of my family visa,why she she declare its my husband on 2 march 2010?how,s is possible my marriage will be registered ,i was not coming to u.k since after my marriage?lisa walsh is telling me who should i know he apply the case in homeoffice behalf of me,who,s that responsiblity?its ashmed marriage to getting (permently visa)....if you not investigation all aspects of my case its your neglience?its a crime and you r responsible for this.my responsiblity to telling u about that fraud.its a weakness of law or neglience of police department.LOG NUMBER:809 9THAPRIAL 2010.....OFFENCE OF BIGMAY.........

usman akhtar (20/11/2010 at 19:31)

every department some good or bad person is working.i am belong to pakistan,i am totally fed up the behaviour of G.M.P...some officer r racist as well,dectictive constable:dave gager 6819 is one of them.he talking me on phone very roude,i do,n think so he is entitled in his job.some officer is very kind and listen very proply and guide as well e.g:shelia.moss is working longside police station.my log number:809 9th aprial 2010 ,,,,no body investigation proply.lisa walsh (she playing stupied stories through the police,courts,registry office,she telling lies and creat problem for everyone....bec she is belong to britian no any law implement for that woman.she telling lies to police,registry office,manchester court,homeoffice etc.......

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