Police concern over complaints

COMPLAINTS against Greater Manchester Police have fallen for the second year running — plummeting by 39 per cent in the last 12 months.

Statistics issued by the Independent Police Complaints Commission for 2010-11 show that GMP recorded 1,155 complaints against its officers, down from 1,878 the previous year.

Reflecting the findings nationally, the top three areas for allegations against the force were around incivility (417 allegations), assault (400) and neglect of duty (261).

An area for concern for the IPCC was the number of appeals the organisation upheld against GMP decisions not to record complaints against its officers. Out of 65 appeals submitted to the IPCC, 53 were upheld — 82 per cent of the number received.

IPCC commissioner Naseem Malik said: “This is the second year that complaints have fallen against GMP. In that time, complaints have more than halved — an incredible achievement. However, it is evident that some improvements are still needed.”