The Professional Standards Committee (PSC) acts on behalf of NWPA to carry out the major functions prescribed for us, under statute, to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of policing locally.

The proper handling of complaints made by members of the public is fundamental in maintaining confidence in our police force.

CHIEF OFFICERS
The role of the PSC is to act on behalf of the NWPA to investigate complaints against the Assistant, Deputy and Chief Constables. We also have to decide whether such matters should be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) where referral is not mandatory. Fortunately such matters are infrequent.

OTHER FORCE MEMBERS
Our other major function is to be kept informed about complaint and disciplinary matters within the force. The Chief Constable is the officer who deals with complaints about members of the force from Constable to Chief Superintendent. The role of the PSC is to oversee the work of the Professional Standards Department (PSD) set up within the force to record and investigate complaints. We oversee their work by examining quarterly, on a random basis, completed files and how they were dealt with. This involves examination in depth to establish that due process has been followed and matters dealt with proportionately and where possible locally. We are also concerned to establish that lessons learnt are dully recorded and followed up.

AUDIT
The whole complaints process is subject to detailed examination by HM Inspectorate and by the Audit Commission who will review the effectiveness of both the force's PSD and the role of the Authority. The Force consistently obtains a good grading, about as high as is possible and the role of the PSC also receives positive comment.

CONCLUSION
The public of North Wales may rest assured that proper complaints they may have are dealt with promptly and punctiliously.

Mr J V R Anderson JP
Chair of the Professional Standards Committee