Complaints against police fall

ALMOST 100 fewer complaints were made against police in Suffolk last year, new figures show.The number of allegations lodged against Suffolk Constabulary fell 17per cent during the past 12 months, from 529 in 2006/07 to 442 in 2007/08.

ALMOST 100 fewer complaints were made against police in Suffolk last year, new figures show.

The number of allegations lodged against Suffolk Constabulary fell 17per cent during the past 12 months, from 529 in 2006/07 to 442 in 2007/08.

Most of the complaints (145) related to a perceived “neglect of duty” while claims of “incivility” (76) and oppressive conduct (43) were also high on the list.

But only nine (2pc) of the complaints made against the force were upheld - three more than 2006/07.

The figures are revealed in a performance report to be discussed by Suffolk Police Authority at a meeting on Friday.

They show 90.6pc of all complaints investigations were completed by the professional standards department within 120 days - exceeding the national target of 80pc.

Commenting in the report, Deputy Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer said: “Looking over the last three-year period, it is evident that the number of complaints recorded in 2005/06 and the latest period are very similar and would suggest that the previous figure recorded in 2006/07 represents an unusually high number for which no obvious reason can be readily identified.”