Dorset Police and Crime Panel

11 July 2023

Complaints Protocol and Sub Committee

For Decision

Executive Director:	J Mair, Director of Legal & Democratic

Report Author:	Marc Eyre

Job Title:	Service Manager for Assurance

Tel:	01305 224358

Email:	marc.eyre@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Report Status: Public

Brief Summary: The Dorset Police and Crime Panel has statutory responsibilities with regards to the recording and determination of complaints made against the Police and Crime Commissioner which relate to personal conduct. Ordinarily the Panel delegates responsibility for the initial handling of the complaint to the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. However, where a complainant appeals the outcome of that investigation, the Panel’s Complaints Protocol determines the need to stand up the Complaints Sub Committee.

A change of Panel membership following the BCP May elections and the resignation of the Co-opted Member chair requires that a new Sub Committee membership is agreed. The Sub Committee has a quorum of three, but with a membership of five Panel members, where possible reflecting both the political and geographical balance of the Panel.

The Sub Committee met on 21 June 2023 to consider an appeal to a complaint, and the Chair of the Sub Committee will provide a verbal update on the outcome. The Sub Committee seeks to consider any lessons learnt as part of its deliberations. It was proposed that the response timescales set out in the Protocol should be revised to match the Host Authority Dorset Council’s own complaints policy. Following this discussion, a number of changes have been proposed to the Protocol, as shown in red within Appendix A, for consideration and approval by the Panel. The current Protocol can be viewed for reference as a link within the Background Documents at the end of this report.

Recommendation: That the Dorset Police and Crime Panel:

Appoint five panel members to sit on the Complaints Sub Committee;

Appoint a Chair and Vice Chair for the Complaints Sub Committee;

Ratify the proposed amendments to the Complaints Protocol, as set out in Appendix A.

Reason for Recommendation: To ensure that appropriate arrangements are maintained to handle complaints made against the Police and Crime Commissioner, meeting the statutory responsibilities on the Panel.

Financial Implications

None

Natural Environment, Climate & Ecology Implications

None

Well-being and Health Implications

None

Other Implications

None

Risk Assessment

HAVING CONSIDERED: the risks associated with this decision; the level of risk has been identified as:

Current Risk and Residual Risk: Low

Equalities Impact Assessment

N/A

Appendices

Appendix A – Draft Revised Complaints Protocol

Background Papers

Terms of Reference for the Complaints Sub Committee

Current Complaints Protocol