Hillingdon borough complaints

Dear Mr Andrews,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2009050006814
I write in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 29/05/2009. I note
you seek access to the following information:

"1. How many complaints made to the IPCC have been upheld for the borough
of Hillingdon for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
listed by complaint category. i.e assault, incivility etc.

2. What were the sanctions recommended for each of those upheld
complaints

3. What actions did the Metropolitan Police take in reference to the
upheld complaints to the MPS personnel involved. "

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You will receive a response within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act, subject to
the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third
party. In some circumstances the MPS may be unable to achieve this
deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised
time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact KSimmons via the e-mail address at the top of this letter,
quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely,

KSimmons
Policy and Support Officer
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again –

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

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Dear Mr Andrews,

I am writing to apologise for the delay in providing you with a
substantive response to your FOIA request for the following information:

1. How many complaints made to the IPCC have been upheld for the
borough of Hillingdon for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 listed by
complaint category ie assault, incivility etc.

2. What were the sanctions recommended for each of those upheld
complaints.

3. What actions did the Metropolitan Police take in reference to the
upheld complaints to the MPS personnel involved.

On requesting a search from the Performance Analysis Unit to
ascertain whether the information is held, the unit have reverted
back to me asking for verification on the following points in order
to assist you. They have asked

Can I just confirm this FOIA is taking about complaints (ie allegations)
not appeals. The reason I ask is appeals are made to the IPCC and the
terminology 'upheld' is used for them. Although complaints can be made
directly to the IPCC, more are made direct to the force and the
terminology for question 2 would be 'substantiated' rather than upheld.

Once I receive your confirmation as to these points I can then revert back
to the PAU and the searches on your behalf can be conducted and the
substantive response issued to you in due course.

Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Yours Sincerely

Carol Conway
DPS-FOIA Team

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Dear Mr Andrews,
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2009050006814
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 29/05/2009. I note that you
seek access to the following information:
"1. How many complaints made to the IPCC have been upheld for the borough
of Hillingdon for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 listed by complaint
category. i.e assault, incivility etc.

2. What were the sanctions recommended for each of those upheld
complaints.

3. What actions did the Metropolitan Police take in reference to the
upheld complaints to the MPS personnel involved."

I apologise for the continued delay in responding to your request. Thank
you for your continued patience in relation to this matter. I hope to be
able to provide you with a complete and accurate answer to your request
shortly.

Yours sincerely

Damion Baird

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again -

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

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Dear Mr Andrews,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2009050006814

I write in response to your request for information which was received by
the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 29 May 2009. I apologise for the
delay in responding to your request and any inconvenience caused. I note
that you seek access to the following information:
"1. How many complaints made to the IPCC have been upheld for the borough
of Hillingdon for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 listed by complaint
category. i.e. assault, incivility etc?
2. What were the sanctions recommended for each of those upheld
complaints?

3. What actions did the Metropolitan Police take in reference to the
upheld complaints to the MPS personnel involved?"

Carol Conway emailed you on the 15 July 2009 to confirm that your request
referred to complaints against police as opposed to appeals to the IPCC.
On 23 July 2009, you confirmed by email that your request referred to
complaints against police.

Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted within the
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to locate information relevant to your
request. I can confirm that the information requested is held by the MPS.

DECISION

I have disclosed the located information to you in its entirety.

In respect of your request for:

1. How many complaints made to the IPCC have been upheld for the borough
of Hillingdon for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 listed by complaint
category. i.e. assault, incivility etc.
Table one: Substantiated Public Complaint Allegations recorded against
Police Officers based in Hillingdon Borough from 01/01/2005 to 31/12/2008,
broken down by Method of Receipt, Type Description, Calendar Year and
Total.

Please note that I have included the method in which the complaint was
received to assist you with your application.

Please also find the internet link to the Independent Police Complaints
Commission (IPCC) Statutory Guidance upon complaints. Definitions of the
offence categories present within table one are outlined in this guidance.

IPCC Complaints Statutory Guidance

http://statguidance.ipcc.gov.uk/index/ap...

In respect of your request for:
2. What were the sanctions recommended for each of those upheld
complaints.

3. What actions did the Metropolitan Police take in reference to the
upheld complaints to the MPS personnel involved.

Table Two: Substantiated Public Complaint Allegations recorded against
Police Officers based in Hillingdon Borough from 01/01/2005 to 31/12/2008,
broken down by Method of Receipt, Outcome, Calendar Year and Total.

Table two provides the outcome (sanction imposed upon each officer) as a
result of the substantiated allegation recorded against them. Please note
that the sanctions in table two would have been recommended as a product
of an independent misconduct review conducted by DPS after each complaint
investigation had been concluded.

One officer was required to face a misconduct board in 2007. The
allegation against this officer was proven at the misconduct board. The
sanction issued to this officer was a reprimand. Please note that the
misconduct sanction 'reprimand' is no longer available as a sanction in
accordance with the changes made to the discipline procedure for police
officers made by the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008.

The MPS treats each occasion where an allegation is made about a member of
its staff seriously and will, where any allegation is received, fully
investigate that incident to determine whether a breach of the code of
conduct for police officers has taken place. Where the conduct of our
officers is found to have fallen below the standards expected, the MPS
takes robust action to ensure that officers are appropriately disciplined
and that lessons are learnt from each case.

All MPS employees are expected to behave professionally, ethically and
with the utmost integrity at all times. Any instance where the conduct of
our staff is alleged to have fallen below the standards of behaviour
expected is treated extremely seriously by the MPS.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS
If you are dissatisfied with this response please read the attached paper
entitled Complaint Rights, which explains how to make a complaint.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
the MPS and for your patience in awaiting a response to your request.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me on 0207 230 5204 or at the email address at the top of this
notice, quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Damion Baird
Information Manager
Directorate of Professional Standards

In complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information, the
Metropolitan Police Service will not breach the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the
enclosed information will continue to be protected by law. Applications
for the copyright owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the
attached information should be addressed to MPS Directorate of Legal
Services, 1st Floor (Victoria Block), New Scotland Yard, Victoria, London,
SW1H 0BG.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again ***

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

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