§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police forces which intend to appoint additional assistant chief constables to handle allegations from the public under the police complaints procedure; and what will be the additional cost of such appointments.
§ Mr. BrittanDeputy chief constables are responsible for the investigation of complaints in forces in England and Wales outside London, and have full-time staff in the ranks of chief superintendent and/or superintendent to assist them. A deputy can, when necessary, obtain from the assistant chief constables of the force help in the management of the complaints procedure. A new post of assistant chief constable is authorised only where the overall work load of the chief officers of the force—of which complaints work forms only a part—makes an addition essential. An additional assistant chief constable post has recently been authorised on this basis for the Greater Manchester police, and the chief constable intends that the officer appointed should mainly be employed in giving assistance on complaints work. A similar post for Merseyside police is under consideration. The salary of an assistant chief constable is £14,188 per annum, plus rent allowance.