UK Police complaints procedure: What's the difference between a 'local resolution' and

Question

a 'proportionate investigation'?

What's the best option to choose for the complainant and what one do the police prefer the complainant to choose?

Thanks a million!

Answer 1

If you as the complainant choose to have the matter dealt with by way of local resolution then that’s what will happen.  This will basically mean the officer is given the terms and reasons for the complaint and given an opportunity to give his/her side of the story surrounding the circumstances of how the complaint came about.   This is dealt with on a local level with usually only the officer and a direct line supervisor being involved.  A decision on what to do about the officer is then made by the supervisor, which is usually 'words of advice' (posh term for a boll***ing) or maybe an apology to the complainant or any other relevant 'disposal'.  If the outcome is satisfactory to the supervisor then he/she will contact the complainant with the results of their investigation.  However, if you as the complainant agrees to a local resolution then this is how it is dealt with and there is no option to go for a more thorough investigation afterwards.

If the matter is dealt with by way of an investigation, more people are involved and a more thorough investigation is done which may go as far as the independent police complaints commission (IPCC).  At the end of the investigation, the outcome may still be the same with words of advice or a similar disposal.

Local resolution, in my experience, is used when the nature of the complaint is minor with no real need to delve deeper into the circumstances as the evidence of what allegedly happened is pretty much ‘clear cut’.  A more serious complaint would obviously warrant a more thorough investigation.

Answer 2

Be careful of local resolution.  If you choose this option and you are not happy with the result - tough.  Local Resolution can only be used if you consent but you can not change your mind. It also depends on the severity of the complain as to whether or not it is appropriate. You can only appeal against the way the investigation was carried out. In my case an officer lied to the public stating that my photo was posted in the police station and that they should be wary of me.  My photo never was in the station and he said this soley to get his hands on my new girl.  This was proven during the investigation.  He received a warning,  

Answer 3

What ever you do don't go for Local Resolution, it will be covered up in the local Police Station and you will have no redress. Of course the Police prefere you to choose this option so the story doesn't "get out". There is no such thing as the Police Complaints Authority it's now the IPCC and they are not a lot better. If it's a serious complaint consult a solicitor with the option of suing the Police. I am sorry I didn't do the latter in the first place as I would not then have wasted over 12 months while the Police messed about.

Answer 4

In short,"a local resolution" is one that is dealt with by the police force and only gets heard by senior officers (inspector or above) in the local area command,and is dealt with by that areas local office.

Other complaints are dealt with by the IPCC  which handle more serious complaints and is national.

A "proportionate"investigation is when only a part of an investigation is looked into for possible breaches of certain codes.

Most forces prefer local arbitration for obvious reasons.I hope this helps you out.