The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the rise - taking the number of complaints beyond the 26,000 mark - was down to increased confidence in its complaints procedure. But the leader of Britain's rank-and-file police officers said that almost 90 per cent of the complaints were unsubstantiated.
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, criticised the IPCC for spending so much time investigating complaints against its officers when the vast majority were without foundation.
She said: "While it is right that police officers are fully accountable for their actions, the IPCC must recognise the massive effect these investigations have on the officers and families involved, even when accusations are tenuous at best."
Nick Hardwick, the watchdog's chair, said: "More and more people recognise that if you have a grievance the police service will take it seriously."
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