G20: 276 Complaints So Far

Thu, 11 June 2009 Courtesy of: IPCC

Currently, five independent investigations are being conducted by the IPCC, including:

- the death of Ian Tomlinson on 1 April;

- alleged misinformation by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police regarding police contact with Ian Tomlinson;

- an alleged assault of a 22-year-old woman on 1 April;

- an alleged assault of a woman by an MPS TSG officer on 2 April; and

- a new allegation of assault of a woman by an MPS officer on 1 April.

The new allegation was referred to the IPCC by the MPS on 28 May and related to an incident that occurred on the 1 April 2009, while a group of people were held in an alleyway connecting Bishopsgate and Great St Helens. 

A sixth independent investigation into an allegation of excessive force by an officer against a 23-year-old man from London has been re-determined after the complainant withdrew his complaint. Although the complaint has been withdrawn the conduct matter will continue to be investigated under IPCC supervision.  

Of the 276 complaints received, 131 appear to be eligible under the Police Reform Act. These are mainly about the use of force by police officers during the protests, and include complaints from witnesses as well as alleged victims.

78 relate to police tactics.  As these appear to be outside the scope of the Police Reform Act, the substance of the complaints was passed to Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary to help inform their review of the tactics used during the G20 demonstrations. 

67 do not appear to be eligible under the Police Reform Act.  For example, those people who saw footage on TV and wished to complain.

All of the 131 eligible complaints have been forwarded to MPS for recording with the request that any complaint which alleges excessive force with reported injuries, where the injured party or officer can be identified, should be referred back to the IPCC.  

So far we have received 52 such referrals, although there may be more over the coming weeks.

Of the 52, in addition to the independent investigations above, 44 are being investigated by the appropriate authority (i.e. whichever force the officer under investigation works for), under the supervision of the IPCC and three have been returned for local investigation.

This means that the IPCC can monitor all the supervised investigations into excessive force to ensure consistency of approach and can continually assess the level of investigation so that it can be escalated should any new information which causes further concern come to light.  This overview will also give the IPCC the insight to be able to identify any common themes or systemic issues arising and make recommendations about those as appropriate.

In all supervised and local cases, complainants have a right of appeal to the IPCC if they do not believe the investigation has been completed appropriately.