Police: Funding Debate

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Department: Home Office
Wednesday 17th December 2014

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Dholakia Portrait Lord Dholakia (LD)
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My Lords, are there any plans to extend the powers of the police and crime commissioners to investigate serious complaints against police officers? If so, what discussions have taken place with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and what additional resources does my noble friend have in mind for the crime commissioners?

Lord Bates Portrait Lord Bates
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There have been no proposals to do that. The Independent Police Complains Commission, to which police and crime commissioners are also accountable, is covered by the present regime. Police and crime commissioners can play a leading role in helping to produce more effective policing locally, as is the case in Northamptonshire, where they have instituted co-operation between the police, fire and ambulance service in order to reduce costs and protect front-line policing.