DORSET Police recieved 705 complaints from 2020 to 2021.

This figure includes complaints against both police officers and police staff, from the period April 1, 2020-March 31, 2021.

There were a further 80 recorded ‘organisational’ complaints, which are complaints that are not attributed to an individual (typically they may relate to a process).

Police officers and staff can also be the subject of investigation from other routes not originating from a public complaint (these are known as conduct matters).

Speaking about their public complaints, a spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "There were 44 cases where the service was deemed not acceptable and the employee will have either been asked to reflect on their behaviour, received management advice or a performance plan, or been subject of formal misconduct proceedings."

This is just over six per cent of cases. 

Superintendent Paul Kessell, Head of Professional Standards at Dorset Police, said: “We take all complaints against our staff very seriously and they are investigated in line with the requirements of the Police Reform Act, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) statutory guidance and Home Office guidance.

“The Force has a dedicated complaints and misconduct team that investigates the most serious of public complaints.

“All eligible complaints to the Force are recorded, assessed and handled in the appropriate manner.

“Our officers and staff are duty bound to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity at all times. If the behaviour of a Dorset Police employee has fallen below the high standards expected, we do not hesitate to address the matter robustly.

“A complaint is subject to a thorough investigation and if the behaviour of a member of Dorset Police is deemed not acceptable, the employee will either be asked to reflect on their behaviour, receive management advice or a performance plan, or be the subject of formal misconduct proceedings.

“Following an assessment of the complaints received throughout the year, a large majority of these were not upheld and the officer was found to have acted appropriately.

“If a complainant is unsatisfied with the outcome, they are able to appeal the process either through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC.

“We are committed to building and maintaining public confidence and to continuously improve our service. The ability of the public to make complaints against our officers and staff and to feel confident that we will take them seriously is extremely important to our organisation.

“If anyone is dissatisfied with the service received from Dorset Police then we would encourage them to report their complaint via the Force website.

“Dorset Police takes all complaints seriously and we are committed to continuously learning and improving our service to the public wherever we can.”

Anyone can report any concerns to Dorset Police by calling 101 or emailing countercorruptionunit.dorset@dorset.pnn.police.uk. Corruption can also be reported online at www.dorset.police.uk/contact/report-police-corruption/.

Alternatively members of the public can contact the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – details of which can be found via their website www.policeconduct.gov.uk or anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or freephone 0800 555 111.