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How We Deal with Your Complaint

Set out below is a description of how we deal with your complaint.

A flowchart setting out the process can also be downloaded from the main complaints page.

When we receive a complaint we take the following steps:

 

Stage 1 – Recording the Complaint

We check that the complaint is about the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime (DMPC) for West Yorkshire – if it isn’t we send it to the right Police and Crime Panel and let you know or we advise you of the right person or organisation to send it to;

If it does relate to the Mayor or the DMPC for West Yorkshire:

We record the complaint – unless it is already being dealt with through criminal proceedings

 

If we don’t record your complaint we have to tell you that we have made that decision and explain why:

  • you can appeal to the Standards and Complaints Sub Panel against a decision not to record your complaint
  • if your appeal is successful your complaint will be referred back to officers to be recorded
  • if your appeal is unsuccessful – the Sub Panel decision is final and your case closed

 

Stage 2 – Is It a Complaint that Should be Dealt With by Us?

We decide whether a complaint alleges criminal conduct (or indicates criminal conduct may have occurred). If it does we immediately refer it to the Independent Office for Police  Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC will then decide how to deal with your complaint

or

We decide that a complaint can be dealt with by us

or

We may decide no action should be taken because, for example, it is an employment issue, it is more than 12 months old, the matter is already the subject of a complaint, it is anonymous, vexatious, oppressive or an abuse of the procedures or repetitious:

  • you can appeal to the Standards and Complaints Sub Panel against a decision to take no action
  • if your appeal is successful your complaint will be referred back to officers to be dealt with in accordance with the procedures set out below
  • if your appeal is unsuccessful – the Sub Panel decision is final and your case closed

 

Whatever we decide you will be kept informed.

 

Stage 3 – Your Complaint is to be Looked into by Us

A copy of the record of the complaint will be sent to you within 5 working days of it being recorded and you will be informed who will be handling your complaint

A copy of your complaint will normally be sent to the person you have complained about for their comments (in certain  circumstances your complaint may be kept anonymous or confidential)

You will normally get a response within 15 working days of the record of your complaint being sent to you. If more time is needed you will be told the reason why and given a new date

 

If the person you have complained about accepts the recommended decision and any recommended actions to be taken you will receive a copy of the decision and the reasons for it:

  • If you accept the decision – it will be implemented and your case closed
  • If you don’t accept the decision – your case will be referred to the Standards and Complaints Sub Panel for consideration – its decision is final – it will be implemented and your case closed unless
  • the decision is not accepted by the person you have complained about - in which case the matter will be referred to the full Police and Crime Panel – its decision will be final - it will be implemented and your case closed

 

If the person you have complained about does not accept the recommended decision and any recommended actions to be taken the matter will be referred to the Standards and Complaints Sub Panel for consideration:

  • you will receive a copy of the recommended decision and any recommended actions
  • if the person you have complained about accepts the Sub Panel’s decision – it will be implemented and your case closed
  • if the Sub Panels decision is not accepted by the person you have complained about, the matter will be referred to the full Police and Crime Panel – its decision will be final - it will be implemented and your case closed

 

The Mayor or the DMPC may be called to a meeting to answer questions and make representations.

If the Sub Panel or the full Panel is to consider your case, you will be informed of the date and time of the meeting and you may be invited to attend.

 

Outcome

  • A record of the outcome of your complaint will be sent to the person complained about as well as to you
  • Details of the record may be published but only after you have been given a chance to comment
  • Further details can be found on the Possible Outcomes page (follow the link on the complaints main page)

 

Withdrawing or Discontinuing a Complaint

If you want to withdraw or discontinue your complaint at any time you must give us signed notice in writing. If your complaint involves (or may involve) criminal conduct then it might still have to be investigated. If this is the case, you will be told.

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