§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the breakdown is by outcome of cases dealt with by the police ombudsman. [43892]
§ Jane KennedyThe police ombudsman advises that the outcome of cases received since the opening of the Police Ombudsman's Office on 6 November 2000 until 1 May 2002 is as follows:
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Closed complaint outcomes Outcome Number Per cent. Non-cooperation by complainant 2,193 53 Withdrawn by complainant 359 9 Not substantiated after investigation 245 6 Closed for other reason1 962 23 Informal resolution2 379 9 Total 4,138 100
Status of complaints still open Status Number Per cent. Under investigation 848 67 Further inquiries being made3 243 19 Sent for informal resolution4 120 10 With DPP or at disciplinary proceedings 44 4 Total 1,255 100 1Other reasons for closure include complaints being repetitive, vexatious, incapable of investigation, outside remit, ill-founded, etc. 2Complaints settled by informal resolution are minor non-criminal and non-disciplinary matters. They are settled by a meeting between the complainant and the police. 3 Complaints which are subject to further inquiries by police ombudsman's staff so that appropriate means of dealing with them can be identified. 4Complaints sent to the police to arrange a meeting with the complainant so that a resolution may be achieved.