IOPC impact report 2021/22 – Engaging, learning and improving

The IOPC has issued its fourth Impact report 2021/22, which sets out our achievements and how we have made a positive difference to policing.

Our report uses case studies about real people to demonstrate our impact and features a new shorter format.

Despite the ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to perform well. We completed 90% of our core investigations within 12 months, exceeding our target, and over a third of our core investigations within six months.

Identifying and sharing learning in order to improve policing is an important part of our work. We made 180 recommendations which led to improved training, better policies and guidance, and changes to the way officers perform their role. We issued our Learning the Lessons magazine on handling complaints relating to child sexual abuse. It contained valuable information on how to better handle complaints in this area and how to prevent mistakes from happening again.

By listening and responding to the issues that matter most to the public, we are helping to improve public confidence in policing. Our thematic work on topics such as use of Taser and Stop and Search, allowed us to identify systemic issues across policing and address them though learning recommendations. Our report includes studies on how our recommendations led to national improvements in policing.

We continued our commitment to promote equality and value diversity, through initiatives such as our reverse mentoring programme, staff networks, and Aspiring Professionals Programme. Over 80% of our staff agreed that the IOPC values diversity. Improvements in this area have helped us to better reflect and serve the public.

Director General Michael Lockwood said: “Our Impact report 2021/22 outlines our achievements at the end of our three-year strategy and I am proud of what we have achieved. We show our impact, not only through some strong key measures such as improvements to timeliness, but also through our real-life case studies, which show how we are making a difference.

“Please read our Impact report to find out more about our work and how we have made a difference by holding the police to account, engaging with communities, and identifying and sharing learning to improve police practice.”

Between March 2021 and March 2022, we:

• completed 90% of core investigations within 12 months (5% above target)
• decided the outcome of 1/3 of valid reviews were not reasonable and proportionate
• selected 53% of our investigations in thematic areas that are of most concern to the public (i.e. stop and search)
• made 180 learning recommendations
• found that 93% of our recommendations were accepted by police forces and organisations
• issued Learning the Lessons, issue 39 on child sexual abuse, which was shared with 1,500 people
• received over 22,000 calls from the public
• held 248 engagement sessions
• increased awareness of the IOPC from half in 2019 to two-thirds in 2021/22 (source: IOPC Public Perceptions Tracker Report)
• increased awareness among ethnic minority groups from 2021 by almost 10% to 57% (source: IOPC Public Perceptions Tracker Report)
• upskilled our staff through completion of 264 learning and development courses
• were awarded the Stonewall Silver Employer award
• achieved our Customer Service Excellence® accreditation and were recognised at the Assessment Services Ltd awards
• found that 81% of staff survey respondents agreed that the IOPC values workplace diversity