The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel - Complaints Sub-Committee met to consider a non-criminal complaint against the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire. The meeting's agenda also included procedural items such as the appointment of a chair and declarations of interest.

Consideration of Complaint 02/2026

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a non-criminal complaint, reference 02/2026, concerning the conduct of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire. The report pack provided details of the Informal Resolution Protocol regarding non-criminal complaints against the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire . This protocol outlines the process for handling such complaints, which begins with the Monitoring Officer of the host authority acting as the first point of contact.

According to the protocol, any complaints received by panel members, constituent authorities, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC), or the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire are to be forwarded to the Monitoring Officer. The Monitoring Officer then determines whether a complaint should be recorded. If a complaint is recorded, a copy is sent to the complainant and, subject to anonymity considerations, to the person complained against. The record and associated paperwork are then referred to the Panel's Secretariat.

The Panel's Secretariat is responsible for convening a meeting of the Complaints Sub Committee, typically within three weeks of receiving the complaint. Both the complainant and the person complained about are informed of the timescales and the informal resolution procedure, and are given an opportunity to make comments. The Monitoring Officer compiles a report for the Complaints Sub Committee, detailing the complaint and suggesting next steps.

The Complaints Sub Committee's role, as outlined in the protocol, is to consider whether the complaint has been satisfactorily dealt with and may decide to treat it as resolved. If further action is deemed necessary, the committee can decide its course of action, though it is explicitly stated that the committee may not conduct an investigation. However, it can use delegated powers to require the person complained against to provide information, documents, or attend to answer questions. The committee may also consider devising an action plan, which could include an explanatory letter, a suggested change to OPFCC policy or practice, or a request for an apology. The protocol also details the process for referring matters to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) if criminal offences are suspected or if the IOPC requests it.

The report pack indicated that the discussion of Complaint 02/2026 would involve exempt information, as defined by Paragraph 1 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, relating to information about any individual. Members were reminded that it was for the meeting to decide whether to consider such items in private or in public, balancing the interests of individuals and the council.