Independent Office for Police Conduct

Today marks the start of #SouthAsianHeritageMonth – a month that aims to transform how people across the world connect with South Asian culture.   In line with this year’s theme - #FreeToBeMe, our Race, Religion and Belief network is encouraging staff members across the IOPC, regardless of race or background, to engage with and celebrate stories about South Asian Heritage. We hope you’ll join us in using the month to explore and celebrate our diversity.

We produce a range of publications that share learning from our work.    This learning is fed back into policing to help ensure that where things go wrong, lessons are learnt and policies and practice changed, if appropriate.    Read more:  ▶️ https://rb.gy/q5rfea 

We are attending Sparkle Weekend – the National Transgender PRIDE event in the U.K. We will be spending the weekend meeting members of the community, providing advice on how we can and will support them.   We are so excited to be reaching out to the trans community during their weekend of celebration and PRIDE.   More information on Sparkle Weekend below: What is Sparkle Weekend?: The Sparkle Weekend is the original celebration of gender diversity. This is a safe space for anyone who identifies as transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming, and their family, friends, and allies. This is a festival-style family-friendly event, with live entertainment, workshops, food, drink, and of course, market stalls. This is a great opportunity to reach out to the community, hear their stories, and share the amazing work that Sparkle do. Sparkle Weekend’s Mission: - Sparkle Weekend aim to lead the way for trans inclusion. - Promote a positive public image, awareness and acceptance of the trans community in the U.K. and beyond. - Hope to build confidence and resilience, to develop understanding and cohesion in society and to challenge the stigma associated with being trans. 

Last weekend, members of our Youth Panel and young people we have worked with over the past year, attended the TASERD Youth Advisory Panel event, run in conjunction with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). The panel was held to allow young people to scrutinise the use of Taser by the police, and address community concerns around the disproportionate use of Taser against Black and other ethnic minority communities. The panel event was a great success in engaging young people and empowering them to share their valuable insights to improve policing. Learn more about our Youth Panel: ▶️ https://rb.gy/5j26e

This month we have been proudly celebrating PRIDE month with a range of events and activities highlighting LGBTQ+ experiences! At the IOPC we believe in creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to be their authentic selves. The PRIDE Network Leads’ events have allowed freedom of expression with colleagues opening up about their experiences as LGBTQ+ people, and allies; as well as shining the light on the LGBTQ+ community by sharing the experiences of local LGBTQ+ charities and organisations. The celebrations don’t stop there; as we proudly walk in the London PRIDE parade on Saturday 29 June; where we will stand with the community to spread love and acceptance to celebrate LGBTQ+ people.

Curious to know how the police complaints process works? Watch our short video for step-by-step guidance on making a complaint about the police and to learn more about how the police complaints process works. Read our full guide to the complaints process: ▶️ https://rb.gy/5c8nd

We have started to send out #Hillsborough investigations’ outcome letters to complainants and subject officers. The letters detail the investigation undertaken, an analysis of the evidence and any opinions made by the IOPC Hillsborough decision maker.   This is an incremental process as we continue to liaise with the relevant police forces or, police and crime commissioners, under the Police Reform Act. Once the decision maker has considered any representations a force or commissioner may wish to make, we can finalise the outcomes and send the letters to recipients. As well as to complainants and subject officers, we will be sending letters to those who are Interested Persons (IPs) in the IOPC and Operation Resolve investigations. Interested Persons will receive some information relating to the actions of former South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police officers.   A large number of complaint and conduct reports will become publicly available on the Hillsborough investigations’ website when it is launched.   Find out more in our latest stakeholder update #HillsboroughDisaster ▶️ https://rb.gy/qvafv1

At the IOPC, we are supportive of carers and we take a family-friendly approach to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment for all. Our All Ages and Sex & Family Staff Networks are proud to support Carer’s and Loneliness Week between 10 – 16 June 2024.    The Carers Week campaign of ‘Putting Carer’s on the Map’ aims to raise awareness about caring, shining a light on the challenges faced by unpaid carers and recognising the invaluable contributions carers make to families and communities across the UK.  Loneliness Awareness Week campaign of ‘Random acts of connection’ aims to raise awareness of loneliness, empowering everyone to make connections across the UK and worldwide.   We have also developed a range of helpful resources dedicated to carers in our in-house portal, providing guidance, sharing inspiring blog posts, and celebrating our colleagues who are carers. #CarersWeek2024 #beinginclusive #LonelinessAwarenessWeek #RandomActsOfConnection

Review or Appeal?    If you are unhappy with the way your complaint was handled, or with the final outcome, you can apply for a #review or an #appeal. It will be treated as a review or an appeal depending on the date you made your complaint.    Learn more:  ▶️ https://rb.gy/ya2gbk 

What is our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion?    Watch our video where our Equalities Delivery Manager and our Equality Advisor, explain our commitment to Equality, diversity and inclusion.    Learn more about our equality, diversity and inclusion work:  ▶️ https://rb.gy/67id6