Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant alleged he was followed and harassed by two Ministry of Defence Police (“MDP”) officers on 14 March 2022. We have reviewed the handling of 7 complaints, namely that:

1. on 14 March 2022 the applicant was harassed by two police officers;
2. on the same day police officers lied to the applicant;
3. on various dates between 26 December 2017 and 17 March 2022 police officers have stalked and harassed the applicant;
4. on 18 March 2022 police officers blocked the applicant’s access to a road;
5. police officers waved their fists at the applicant;
6. on three occasions police officers pointed a gun at the applicant; and
7. on 29 March 2022 and 2 April 2022 police officers attempted to cause a collision with the applicant’s vehicle. 

MDP’s Decision

MDP did not uphold any of the applicant’s complaints

Our Findings

We have found that the MDP handled complaints 3 – 7 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 1 and 2. Consequently, we have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in the MDP’s handling of complaints 1 and 2.

In summary, we have recommended the MDP carry out further enquiry and thereafter provide the applicant with a further response. We have also made two further recommendations about the way in which some of the complaints were initially recorded. We have also identified a learning point regarding incorrect information that the MDP provided to the applicant about the complaint handling review process.

Our recommendations and learning point should be completed by the MDP within two months of the date of this report.

Outcome

The MDP carried out further enquiries into complaints 1 and 2 and thereafter provided the applicant with a further response to those complaints. While both complaints remained not upheld, the MDP more clearly explained how that conclusion had been reached. The MDP also implemented two further administrative recommendations relating to how the applicant’s complaint were initially recorded.

Police Bodies : Ministry of Defence Police (MDP)