Published Date: 01.06.2010

The Police Ombudsman's Office has launched a pilot project in the Antrim, Carrick, Lisburn and Newtownabbey areas, aimed at finding a quicker and more effective way of dealing with less serious complaints against the police.

For a trial six month period, people with less serious complaints against the police in these areas will be asked if they would like local police to look into the matter and address the issues raised.

Police Ombudsman, Mr Al Hutchinson, said the pilot Local Resolution Project offered the potential for police to work directly with complainants so that less serious complaints can be dealt with more quickly.

"If the project is successful and less serious complaints are dealt with more quickly, this should encourage greater confidence that the police are aware of people's concerns and are taking quick and effective measures to address them," said Mr Hutchinson.

"It also allows police to hear at first hand the sorts of issues that concern people, and this may lead to mutual understanding between complainant and police, and the potential for learning on both sides."

Mr Hutchinson pointed out that local resolution would only be used as a means of dealing with less serious complaints, which, even if substantiated, would not result in disciplinary or criminal action against an officer.

He also explained that the process would be overseen by the Police Ombudsman's Office, which would continue to log complaints and check with complainants that issues have been properly resolved.

"In addition, Local Resolution will only be used with the complainant's consent," he added.

Minor complaints potentially suitable for Local Resolution include those about rudeness, failure to update or quality of service issues.

For more information about the project, please contact the Police Ombudsman's Office on 028 9056 9907.