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How Major Incidents are dealt with
The Home Secretary can set up an independent enquiry into any matter concerning the police in England and Wales. Such enquiries are not limited to misconduct by individuals or groups of officers but can also deal with police instructions and policing policies that result in serious conflict with members of the public. Such enquiries, however, are rarely held.
Police Authorities can require chief police officers to report on any matter concerning the policing of their area; this is another way in which major incidents can be investigated.
Because the scope of public enquiries and reporting to Police Authorities is much wider than individual complaints, a campaign of public pressure is often needed before action is taken. If there has been an incident that needs to be examined in a public way, you should consider taking the matter up with relevant local organisations, your MP and elected members of the police authority and with the media.
