The Police

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) commenced operation on 1 April 2004, replacing the Police Complaints Authority. The establishment of the IPCC and the overhaul of the police complaints system is the end result of calls for change from a number of quarters including Liberty, the police service and the Police Complaints Authority itself, the McPherson Inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence, community and complainants' groups and the Home Affairs Select Committee. During 2000/01, the Home Office conducted a public consultation and commissioned a feasibility study. Liberty also published its report on an Independent Police Complaints Commission. Finally, the Police Reform Act 2002, which established a legislative framework for the new system, was given Royal Assent.

This section sets out how the police complaint system works.