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- How To Complain
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- How To Complain
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Everyone has rights, whether he or she is a member of the general public, a victim of crime or being held in custody. Bedfordshire Police Authority is committed to respecting the rights of others, in whatever circumstances they find themselves.
- How to Make a Complaint
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All complaints are taken very seriously. While complaints about police performance or behaviour are never pleasant for any of the parties involved, it is important that we deal with each complaint in a systematic and fair manner.
The Police Authority has specific duties in relation to the handling of complaints and has a documented complaints procedure. The Authority will deal with
- Complaints against the conduct or behaviour of the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constables
- Complaints against the Police Authority, our policies or practice
- Complaints against conduct or behaviour of Police Authority Members
- Complaints against conduct or behaviour Police Authority Staff
The Bedfordshire Police force will deal with complaints against Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Staff. The Force also deals with complaints about the quality of the service or the detrimental effect of any of the Force policies. Visit the Bedfordshire Police website ( www.bedfordshire.police.uk ) for further information on the various ways your concerns can be dealt with. If you do not wish to make a formal complaint but are dissatisfied with the service you have received from Bedfordshire Police you can also register this on the force website
How to make a complaint to the Authority
With the exception of complaints against Police Authority Members you can register your complaint using the form in our contact us section or write to us at
Bedfordshire Police Authority
Bridgebury House
Woburn Road
Kempston
MK43 9AX
To register a complaint about the conduct of a Police Authority Member you must submit your complaint to:
The Monitoring Officer
Bedfordshire Police Authority
Bridgebury House
Woburn Road
Kempston
MK43 9AX
You must make your complaint using the Complaint Form - Download Complaint Form (116k Word document) - so that you can be sure that you have provided all the information necessary to progress the complaint.
Alternatively, you can contact the Monitoring Officer on 01234 842066 or by email: janet.wardell@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk
The Authority's Standards Committee can only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a Member of the Bedfordshire Police Authority. It will not deal with complaints about things that are not covered by the members' Code of Conduct. If you make a complaint, it must be about why you think a Member has not followed the Code of Conduct.
What to do if you are dissatisfied with our response
If your complaint involves maladministration and you are dissatisfied with our response you may be able to take the issue up with the Local Government Ombudsmen for England and Wales
If you are dissatisfied with the way we have dealt with your complaint about a senior Police Officer you may wish to contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission
- What is Stop and Search?
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Being Stopped and Searched by the Police
Being stopped by the police is not the same as being arrested and it doesn't necessarily mean that they think you've done something wrong. They could be asking you for help or checking if you've seen anything suspicious happening in the last few minutes. Police will however need to stop and search people where they have a reason to do so.
What is Stop and Search?
One of the tools that the police sometimes use to fight crime and protect the public is 'stop and search'. This means that police officers may ask what you are doing in a particular area and search you if they suspect you may be carrying drugs, items used to commit crime, weapons etc.
On very rare occasions, when a senior police officer thinks serious violence may occur, police can search persons without having a specific reason to suspect them.
The police should not stop and search you because of the way you look unless you fit the description of someone who's suspected of committing a crime. If you think you were treated differently because of your race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or other characteristic, you can complain to Bedfordshire Police here.
If you are stopped and searched by the police you have certain rights.
The officer must:
- Tell you why you are going to be searched
- Must explain the law under which you are being searched
- Fill out a form outlining the reason for stopping you, the outcome of the stop and search and their name, and offer you a copy.
Up until 2010 Police Officers and Community Support Officers complete a record simply when asking a person to account for their behaviour but not searching them. Records now only need to be completed if you are searched. You should always be given the name and station of the police officer searching you. Police Officers where unique identification numbers on their shoulders or front and you will also see this number on the record you are given.
If you are going to be searched in a public place you may be asked to empty your pockets, open your bag or take off your coat so they can make sure you're not hiding any weapons or stolen goods. You should not be asked to remove further items of clothing, but if the constable believes you are concealing items under your clothes she / he can use powers to detain you to search you further in a more private place, such as at a police station.
You should always be treated fairly and with respect, and if you feel this has not happened you are entitled to complain. Under normal circumstances the officer searching you will be of the same sex.
What Should I Do?
You don't have to give your name, address or date of birth to the police if you're stopped and searched unless you're being reported for an offence. It is advised that when asked, you describe your ethnicity. This allows the police and the public to monitor how 'stop and search' is being used.
Find out more about Stop and Search by downloading this leaflet (55k PDF file).
Police and Crime Commissioner
In the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Government has set out its plans to replace current Police Authorities with elected Police and Crime Commissioners.
The first elections will be held in November 2012 and a single Commissioner will be elected for each force area for a four year term.
The Commissioner will be expected to:
- Hold the Chief Constable to account
- Set policing priorities for the Force
- Represent the views of local communities
- Set the Force budget and council tax precept
- Appoint (and if necessary dismiss) the Chief Constable
- Publish an annual report saying how well the force has done
- Consult partners, stakeholders and the public
- Produce a plan for policing the county
Bedfordshire Police Authority:
The Police Authority will continue to operate normally until the Commissioner takes over. This includes setting the budget, the amount of council tax people pay towards policing, determining policing priorities for the next twelve months and holding the Chief Constable to account for delivery.
Police Authority Business Plan 2010/13
Bedfordshire Police Authority is currently developing a Business Plan for 2012-13 that will shape the work required to meet its statutory duties, to deliver ongoing improvements in performance and to prepare for the transition from Police Authority to Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Home Office Statement September 2011
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/13/contents/enacted