Petition · Home Office
Introduce Independent Auditing of Police Complaints in England and Wales
Open for signatures
2,308 signatures
What the petition asks
There is no routine, systematic and independent audit of police complaints. Around 85–90% are handled by the forces complained about, while only a small fraction reach the IOPC.
No regular oversight exists for everyday complaints which are not regularly audited, raising concerns about transparency and trust.
Even when complaints identify serious failings or misconduct, police forces still decide whether cases are referred for independent oversight. Last year around 95,000 complaints were made only 7% crossed the IOPC's desk with the organisation being complained about effectively deciding if it should be scrutinised.
Even when complaints identify serious failings or misconduct, police forces still decide whether cases are referred for independent oversight. Last year around 95,000 complaints were made only 7% crossed the IOPC's desk with the organisation being complained about effectively deciding if it should be scrutinised.
Timeline
| 25 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
2,308
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Home Office
Opened
25 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.