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9 October 2008
Substantial changes are made to the structure of the commission.
Following the restructuring of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) (new window), the Home Office has today announced the re-appointment of seven commissioners and the appointment of two previous commissioners in the roles of deputy chairs.
The Home Office has accepted the commission’s recommendation to reduce the number of commissioners to 12, in addition to the chair.
One quarter of the new places on the commission have been reserved for new appointees.
Well-structured process for appointment
All commissioners who sought reappointment underwent an internal selection process, including assessment and interview, in keeping with the code of practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The re-appointed commissioners are:
- Tom Davies
- Mike Franklin
- Gary Garland
- Nicholas Long
- Naseem Malik
- Rebecca Marsh
- Amerdeep Somal
The two deputy chairs are:
- Deborah Glass
- Len Jackson
Their terms of office will vary between three or five years, to allow for appropriate continuity and succession planning.
The chair of the IPCC, Nick Hardwick, was reappointed by the Home Secretary for a further five-year term in March.
Home Office minister's statement
The Minister of State Policing, Vernon Coaker said. 'I am delighted to announce the re-appointment of the IPCC Commissioners and the appointment of two Deputy Chairs. They have all played an invaluable role in the progress and success of the IPCC so far.
'I congratulate them and welcome their continuing commitment. I have every confidence they will help the IPCC to meet future challenges and continue to increase public confidence in the complaints system.'
Notes to editors
- The IPCC became operational in April 2004, replacing the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
- The IPCC has wider powers than the PCA. It has responsibilities for the police service in England and Wales.
- The IPCC is the statutory guardian of the police complaints system. Although funded by the Home Office, it is independent of the police and government in fulfilling its remit.
- The IPCC sets standards for the way the police handle complaints and, when something has gone wrong, seeks to help the police learn lessons and improve the way they work and has a duty to raise public confidence.
- In April 2006, the IPCC’s remit was extended to include the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and in 2007, UKBA. The constitution of the Independent Police Complaints Commission is set out in the Police Reform Act 2002, Part 2, Section 9.
- Commissioners cannot have held office as a constable in any part of the UK, and are not regarded as a servant or agent of the Crown, and do not enjoy any status, privilege or immunity of the Crown.
- The two non-executive commissioner positions and one operational commissioner post have now been advertised. The closing date is Monday 13 October 2008.
- The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) supports the work of the commissioner for public appointments, a position independent of the government. This position is now held by Mrs Janet Gaymer, CBE.
- The commissioner's role is to regulate, monitor, report and advise on appointments made by UK Ministers and by members of the Welsh Assembly Government to the boards of around 1,100 national and regional public bodies. Some bodies within Northern Ireland also fall under Commissioner’s remit.
