23 March 2018

The INQUEST report of the Family Listening Day, commissioned by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has been published today.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), now the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), asked INQUEST to facilitate a family listening day to gather evidence to inform its on-going process of gathering feedback from those who have been involved in an investigation following a death, in March 2017.

The structure of the day saw families encouraged to discuss their experiences, both good and bad, focusing on initial contact and information, communications, the quality of investigations and reports and the impact on families. There was also an opportunity for families to comment on or recommend ways for improving current practice.

Deborah Coles, Director of INQUEST said: “Family voice and experience is a vital barometer of how well an organisation is doing.  Although families noted some improvements, it was worrying that many of the key concerns echoed those raised by families as part of the IPCC’s 2013 review.   

We welcome Michael Lockwood’s commitment to taking these issues forward to the newly established IOPC. It is vital that this evidence is put at the heart of the organisation, to direct priorities and the change so urgently required by the families we work with. INQUEST will continue to monitor the performance of the IOPC, including in relation to the implementation of this Report’s recommendations.”

Read the IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood's accompanying statement here. 

Read full Family Listening Day report here  DOWNLOAD PDF