This symposium relates to a research project that investigates data on complaints against the police and assesses the nature of complaints made, the characteristics of complainants (e.g. race, gender, geographical) according to the available data and evaluates complaint outcomes. It tests the theory that while complaints can serve as learning opportunities and drive institutional change, the extent to which this is the case is questionable where complaints attract a defensive or combative response and achieve limited outcomes for aggrieved citizens. The project considers the notion of misconduct in a public office and how complaint processes and disciplinary procedures (e.g. ‘reflective practice’) may be more about protecting officers than learning lessons, an accusation raised by the recent Casey Review of the Metropolitan Police’s organisational culture and professional and ethical standards. This symposium invites contributions from practitioners and academics engaged in scholarship and practice in the areas of police complaints, governance and professional standards, redress and compensation. Contributions are welcomed from the areas of law, policing studies, criminology and criminal justice.
Our symposium aims to cover:
• The law and case law on misconduct in a public office
• Police misconduct and gross misconduct • The police complaints process and redress mechanisms
• Complaint outcomes and satisfaction with complaints processes
• Key themes arising from complaints and contemporary complaints issues
• Reform of complaints and scrutiny processes
Other topics are welcomed and the symposium will also serve as a networking event to inform future research collaborations and publication in the areas of police complaints and misconduct.
