Independent Office for Police Conduct

Heroine police officer due in court over over alleged computer misuse

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been charged with making unauthorised searches of the Police National Computer system, writes Neil Wilby. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) say that PC Sanya Shahid is accused of accessing records in October 2020 without having a legitimate policing purpose for doing so, PC Shahid, based in theContinue reading “Heroine police officer due in court over over alleged computer misuse”

A Growing Threat to Life: Taser Usage by Greater Manchester Police

This report was written by the Resistance Lab collective and is reproduced here, in full, on the Neil Wilby Media website, alongside many other articles written that explore the legitimacy and effectiveness of Greater Manchester Police and, more widely, the use of Tasers throughout the police service. Notably, this one here. Full credit is givenContinue reading “A Growing Threat to Life: Taser Usage by Greater Manchester Police”

Watchdog now employs over 1,000 staff but less than 25% ex-police

In a recent reply to a freedom of information request, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed some important information concerning its workforce. The total number of staff employed as at 31st March, 2021 was 1,013, a reduction of 19 from the previous year.. The total payroll cost was £53,950,000, an increase of £3,050,000 (6%) on theContinue reading “Watchdog now employs over 1,000 staff but less than 25% ex-police”

GMP response to racism report ‘disappointing’ says watchdog

On 2nd August, 2021, Amanda Rowe, Regional Director for the Independent Office of Police Conduct, said that Greater Manchester Police’s recent report looking at issues of race equality provides some promising progress on policing and race, but also raises uncomfortable questions that all police forces need to be answering (read full report here). It wasContinue reading “GMP response to racism report ‘disappointing’ says watchdog”

Say one thing, do another

Earlier this month, a Liverpool Echo article announced that a Merseyside Police officer had been sacked for clearly using racist language during the stop and search of an Asian member of the public (read in full here). It resonated immediately, as the racist term used by the young, inexperienced constable (it was his first everContinue reading “Say one thing, do another”

Cover-up at all costs

There are many thousands of words written elsewhere on this website about the so-called ‘police watchdog’ in England and Wales, most recently here. Currently known as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), having previously existed as the Independent Police Complaints Commission (2004-2018), the Police Complaints Authority (1985-2004) and the Police Complaints Board (1977-1985). EachContinue reading “Cover-up at all costs”

‘A grubby little police force’

This catchphrase, now widely shared on social media and indelibly associated with Durham Constabulary, was first coined in November 2016 as part of communication between journalist, Neil Wilby, and the force, concerning a concise, plainly expressed freedom of information request (read in full here). The disposal of that request quickly turned very ugly after DurhamContinue reading “‘A grubby little police force’”

Fourth time lucky?

This is the fourth in a series of six articles that comprise the deepest dive yet into the murder of Diana Garbutt, by her husband Robin, in March 2010. She was bludgeoned to death in the living quarters above Melsonby Village Store and Post Office as she lay sleeping in bed. The first article, headlinedContinue reading “Fourth time lucky?”

‘Calm down’ whilst my detective colleague assaults you

David Rogerson is an unpleasant, foul-mouthed bully, a view readily formed by most people viewing films of his interaction with Huddersfield businessman, Stephen Bradbury, outside of West Yorkshire Police’s prestigious divisional HQ at Havertop, near Featherstone. It is also the view of at least two WYP colleagues who worked with him at Havertop and, havingContinue reading “‘Calm down’ whilst my detective colleague assaults you”

Second investigation into ‘lying’ chief constable flounders

Retired murder detective, Peter Jackson, the country’s best known police whistle blower, has written to the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s office to point out that his complaints against the region’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, are, once again, not being investigated properly.Under the applicable statutory framework, the Mayor is, ultimately, the Appropriate Authority who deals withContinue reading “Second investigation into ‘lying’ chief constable flounders”