The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Lincolnshire Police says an 11 per cent rise in the number of complaints made against the force can be seen as a positive.
A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) shows 567 complaints were lodged in 2014/15 – up 57 from the previous year.
The 11 per cent rise compares to a national average of six per cent.
Supt David Wood, from the force’s professional standards department, said the increase “demonstrates the integrity and transparency of the complaints system in Lincolnshire”.
He added: “Given the complexities of the complaints system, I believe that the increase is a positive sign for the force.
“It demonstrates that the public are able to access the complaints system through a number of channels: by phone, online, email, letter and in person, often a simpler process than in some other forces.
“Furthermore, it shows that the public of Lincolnshire expect high standards from their officers, have confidence in the system, and trust that by making us aware of their dissatisfaction, we will look into it and resolve it.”
Supt Wood said the force is committed to providing a “professional, effective and efficient service” so it was always disappointing when somebody is dissatisfied with the way they have been treated or the service they have received.
He added: “We take complaints very seriously and will always listen to, and take time to establish, exactly what the complaint is about and what the complainant would regard as a satisfactory outcome.
“Complaints also provide an opportunity to ascertain whether there is any individual or organisational learning for the force arising from the incident itself or the way it was handled.”
During a recent inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Constabulary, Lincolnshire Police was praised for the overall standard of its complaint investigations.
