LESS than one per cent of complaints about West Yorkshire Police (WYP) officers over one year led to misconduct action.

Home Office figures show there were 1,928 formal complaints about officers in WYP in the year to April 2021.

Of these, just three were referred to the official disciplinary process, launched when an officer is deemed to have a case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct.

The complaints in 2020-21 involved 1,110 WYP officers – an officer can be subject to more than one allegation and an allegation can involve multiple officers.

A small number of allegations involving actions that do not amount to misconduct but fall short of expectations of police behaviour led to reflective review proceedings or performance reviews.

No police officers resigned or retired following the allegation made against them.

West Yorkshire figures also show there were 104 allegations of "conduct matter" offences, involving 74 police officers.

A ‘conduct matter’ is an indication of a breach of the standards of professional behaviour so serious that it would warrant at least a written warning or dismissal.

There were also 34 allegations against 23 officers for "recordable conduct" matters, including those that caused serious harm or death, and allegations of sexual offences and corruption.

Some 20 conduct matters were referred to official proceedings, while 13 recordable conduct matters resulted in misconduct action.

It also has to be noted that the data does not say whether the matters are still live, so while the complaint may be recorded it could still be a live investigation. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Nicola Bryar, of WYP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “We always strive to deliver the best service possible, however, sometimes we don’t get things right and I would always encourage that when someone feels unsatisfied with the service received, then this should be reported to our Professional Standards Department, so we can investigate. 

“All complaints are investigated by dedicated police officers and staff who work within the Professional Standards Directorate. The complaints are investigated in accordance with the police regulations legislation.

“The majority of complaints received are resolved through either individual or organisational learning, an explanation of actions or an apology.

"Where there has been an indication of a breach of the standards of professional behaviour then a misconduct investigation will take place.

"For those complaints which are identified as recordable conduct then a mandatory referral is also made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).  

“Misconduct action is just one of the many outcomes that can result from an investigation and if anyone is unhappy with the way their recorded complaint has been handled or with the final outcome then they can apply for a review or an appeal to the IOPC.”