COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES
Complaints
As a public authority it is important that Lancashire Police Authority is an efficient and effective organisation. We are always appreciative of any complimentary comments when things have gone well. Equally, when we get something wrong we also want to hear from you and we will apologise and try to put things right.
Complaints Procedures
The processes for dealing with each type of complaint is different, see descriptions below.
If you require this information in an alternative format, e.g. CD ROM, Braille, please contact us on
01772 536078
a) Complaints About Lancashire Police Authority
If you wish to complain about the service you have received by the Authority (or by one of its officers) or the way in which the staff of the Authority have conducted themselves, please contact the Chief Executive either:
by letter: Ms Miranda Carruthers-Watt
Chief Executive
Lancashire Police Authority
PO Box 653
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 2WB
by email: miranda.carruthers-watt@lancashire.gov.uk
by telephone: 01772 532010
In these circumstances it may be necessary to make an appointment to record your complaint.
b) Complaints About The Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer) of Lancashire Police Authority
If you wish to complain about the Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer), please contact the Chair of the Authority either:
by letter: Councillor Malcolm Doherty
Chair
Lancashire Police Authority
PO Box 653
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 2WB
by email: malcolm.doherty@lancashire.gov.uk
by telephone: 01772 532010
In these circumstances it may be necessary to make an appointment to record your complaint.
c) Complaints About the Treasurer or of Deputy Monitoring OfficerLancashire Police Authority
If you wish to complain about the Treasurer and / or the Deputy Monitoring Officer, please contact the Chief Executive either:
by letter: Ms Miranda Carruthers-Watt
Chief Executive
Lancashire Police Authority
PO Box 653
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 2WB
by email: miranda.carruthers-watt@lancashire.gov.uk
by telephone: 01772 532010
In these circumstances it may be necessary to make an appointment to record your complaint.
d) Complaints Involving Maladministration by the Lancashire Police Authority
If your complaint involves maladministration (i.e. the Authority has done something that has caused you injustice) you can contact the Local Ombudsman for England and Wales.
For more information click here www.lgo.org.uk
or contact: Local Government Ombudsman
PO Box 4771
Coventry
CV4 0EH
Tel: 0300 061 0614 or0845 602 1983
Fax: 024 7682 0001
e) Complaints Involving Financial Administration by the Authority
Under certain circumstances you may complain to the Authority's Internal Auditors (Lancashire County Council) or external auditors (Audit Commission) particularly if the matter relates to fraud, financial misconduct or financial irregularity.
Internal Auditors: Lancashire County Council
PO Box 100
County Hall
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 0LD
Email: ruth.lowry@lancashire.gov.uk
Please make it clear that your complaint refers to Lancashire Police Authority
External Auditors: Audit Commission
2nd Floor
Aspinall House
Aspinall Close
Enterprise Park 3
Middlebrook
Bolton
BL6 6QQ
Tel: 01204 877 300
Please make it clear that your complaint refers to Lancashire Police Authority. The Authority's Anti fraud & Corruption Strategy may also be of assistance to you.
f) Complaints About the Conduct of Members of the Lancashire Police Authority
If you believe that a Member of the Authority has breached the Code of Conduct then your complaint should be submitted by letter or email using the form provided to Beverly Wood, Policy and Performance Officer.
by letter: Beverly Wood
LancashirePolice Authority
PO Box 653
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 2WB
Email: bev.wood@lancashire.gov.uk
If you require any further assistance please contact Beverly Wood on 01772 533486
Code of Conduct - October 2007(65.7Kb)
Member misconduct - Complaints Form (553Kb)
From 8 May 2008 the responsibility for considering complaints that a Member may have breached the Code of Conduct has moved from the Standards Board for England to the Police Authority and a new locally based standards framework is in place.
g) Complaints In Relation to the Work of the Independent Custody Visitors
Independent Custody Visitors are volunteers who check on the welfare of people detained in police custody. If you wish to complain about the way an Independent Custody Visitor has conducted themselves please the Volunteer Scheme Co-ordinator:
by letter: Jay Nicholas
Lancashire Police Authority
PO Box 653
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 2WB
Tel: 01772 532251
Email: jay.nicholas@lancashire.gov.uk
h) Complaints About a Police Officer from Lancashire Constabulary
If you wish to complain about a Police Officer below the rank of Assistant Chief Constable or a police staff member, then you will need to contact the Lancashire Constabulary Professional Standards Department.
Professional Standards Department
Lancashire Constabulary
Police Headquarters
PO Box 77
Hutton
Preston
Lancashire
PR4 5SB
Tel: 01772 412601
Email: hq-professionalstandards@lancashire.pnn.police.uk
If you are dissatisfied with the way your complaint has been dealt with you may wish to contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The Lancashire Police Authority is required to keep itself informed about complaints and discipline matters within the force and details of complaints are monitored by the Professional Standards & Human Resources Committee.
i) Complaints about the Conduct of the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable, Assistant Chief Constable & Director of Resources
Lancashire Police Authority is responsible for acting as the 'appropriate authority' in the recording and investigation of complaints and conduct matters against a Lancashire Police Officer of Assistant Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable or Chief Constable rank, or police staff holding the position of Director. This includes a statutory duty to obtain and preserve evidence in such cases.
However, if your complaint relates to 'direction and control' then this will fall outside the jurisdiction of the Police Authority and should be raised with the Professional Standards Department of Lancashire Constabulary.
If you wish to make a complaint about the conduct of a Lancashire Police Officer of Assistant Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable or Chief Constable rank, or police staff holding the position of Director, then please contact the Chief Executive either:
by letter: Ms Miranda Carruthers-Watt
Chief Executive
Lancashire Police Authority
PO Box 653
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 2WB
by email: miranda.carruthers-watt@lancashire.gov.uk
by telephone: 01772 532010
In these circumstances it may be necessary to make an appointment to record your complaint.
