Citation

Smith G. Br. J. Criminol. 2004; 44(1): 15-33.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjc/44.1.15

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Procedures for dealing with complaints against the police have been at the centre of police reform for the last half-century. This paper departs from the traditional who investigates' approach and managerial orthodoxy to consider the primary functions of the complaints process. Four causes of complaint are identified--unprofessional behaviour, criminal conduct, tortious action and unacceptable policy--and four functions are considered--managerial, liability, restorative and accountability. It is concluded that in order to effectively and efficiently deal with the various causes of complaint, a two-tier system is required to deal with complaints that allege unprofessional behaviour and criminal conduct, and a third, separate tier, is necessary to consider complaints regarding unacceptable police policy.