Complaints procedures’ consequences for complaint subjects

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.033229

I note you seek access to the following information:

Complaints procedures’ consequences for complaint subjects

Please kindly advise me of the following:
When an officer is performing poorly in a matter and the attached member of the public submits a complaint about this, what implications does this have for the subject officer?

Does it go in their record? Hold them back from professional progression or promotion? If they are subject of too many complaints does it result in any professional sanctions? Is it a mar on the officer’s general record?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means

Reason for decision

Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means - Some of the information requested has been identified as being accessible via other means as it is already published. Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance. This action is in accordance with section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Disclosure

I am pleased to inform you that some of the information requested is held by the MPS and is already in the public domain. The information can be accessed via the following:

Website: IOPC - Statutory guidance - 2020

Website: College of Policing - Code of Ethics

Q1 - When an officer is performing poorly in a matter and the attached member of the public submits a complaint about this, what implications does this have for the subject officer?

Please see the above link for statutory guidance.

Public complaints can only be handled in one of three ways. Outside schedule 3, other than by investigation or by investigation. The nature and severity of the complaint will impact on the manner of handling. The implications depend on the outcomes. They can range from a finding that the service was acceptable to the officer’s dismissal from the service.

Q2 - Does it go in their record?

Yes, all public complaints that include an identifiable subject officer are recorded against that officer’s service record.

Q3 - Hold them back from professional progression or promotion?

Complaints that are investigated at gross misconduct will impact or impede an officer’s promotion or progression.

Q4 - If they are subject of too many complaints does it result in any professional sanctions?

Each case is dealt with on its merits. Consideration is given to the nature of the complaints and whether or not the service was found to be acceptable or whether or not any misconduct was identified.

Q5 - Is it a mar on the officer’s general record?

All public complaints that include an identifiable subject officer are recorded against that officer’s service record. The circumstances of the complaint and the findings are factors in the response to this question. Reflective Practice, written warnings and more serious sanctions will be taken into account when considering a new complaint.