Complaints against Greater Manchester Police rose by almost a quarter in 2014/15, a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has found.
Over the past year the force received 1,890 complaints, a 23% rise on the previous year. Appeals rose by 25%.
On average it took 113 days for Greater Manchester Police to resolve a complaint.
The force upheld just 8% of complaints made against it, investigating 16% of cases, with 64% of compliants dealt with through the ‘local resolution process’.
Local resolutions are favoured by forces because members of the public speak direct to an officer or staff member’s supervisor and do not result in lengthy misconduct investigations.
The IPCC criticised forces nationwide for ‘wide inconsistencies’ in the way complaints are handled.
Dame Anne Owers, Chair of the IPCC, said: “The figures for England and Wales show a complaints system that is both over-complex and inconsistent, and is clearly failing to satisfy a significant number of complainants.
“Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well.
“However, the underlying problem is the system itself. We welcome the fact that the government proposes to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline a system that at present satisfies neither those who need it nor those who have to operate it.”
