COMPLAINTS against Dorset Police have risen by 16 per cent to 453 in a year.

Figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)revealed the increase is more than twice the national average rise of six per cent.

The IPCC report highlights wide inconsistencies in the way police complaints are handled by different forces.

In Dorset there was a 30 per reduction in the number of complainants who appealed because they were dissatisfied with the way their complaint had been handled.

The report covers the financial year 2014/15 and other findings include: BLOB In Dorset 40% of cases were investigated and 43% were dealt with through the local resolution process.

  •  Dorset Police upheld 15% of complaints and 14% of its investigation appeals.
  • The IPCC upheld 78% of appeals – seven of nine in total – made about Dorset Police complaint investigations
  • On average, it took 67 days for Dorset Police to resolve a complaint.
  • Across England and Wales there were a total of 37,000 complaints made.

Dame Anne Owers, Chair of the IPCC, said: "The figures for England and Wales show a complaints system that is both over-complex and inconsistent, and is clearly failing to satisfy a significant number of complainants.

"Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well.

"However, the underlying problem is the system itself. We welcome the fact that the government proposes to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline a system that at present satisfies neither those who need it nor those who have to operate it.”

Superintendent Pete Windle, Head of Professional Standards, said: “We are happy that the latest statistics clearly demonstrate we are working very hard to record and deal with complaints quickly and to the satisfaction of the public.

“While we have experienced an increase in complaints, we have had a significant reduction in people appealing against the outcome of our investigations.

“We have worked very hard to increase confidence in the complaints system and encourage people to raise concerns to the Force when they are dissatisfied with the service they have received.

“Public satisfaction is a priority for the Force and overall public satisfaction statistics in Dorset have risen repeatedly in recent years. As of June 2015 it stood at 84.2 per cent, putting Dorset among the top 16 forces in the country. In total 92 per cent of victims were satisfied with how they were treated by officers and staff.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill said: “I am concerned to hear this, but I do think we need to keep things in perspective, this is roughly an increase of one complaint per week, pan Dorset.

"I hope and believe that is because people are becoming more confident in complaining about the service they receive, which on occasions falls below the standard required.  

"Let’s not forget that for every complaint, hundreds of police interactions take place daily with positive results, satisfaction in policing in Dorset has risen massively since I took office.

"I do however, believe this whole debate is systematic of a greater problem within the national police complaints procedure which I believe is in need of reform.

"Most people I meet across Dorset agree that there should be true independence in the way complaints are investigated, police should not investigate police.

"I therefore watch national developments in relation to the complaints system with interest.”