Police complaints up 50% in a year

Racist and homophobic remarks, custody conditions and strip searches among 'unprecedented' rise

Published Wednesday 30 November 2016 - 16:16 Modified Wednesday 30 November 2016 - 16:16

THE NUMBER of people lodging formal complaints about police behaviour has grown by 50% in a year, official new figures show.

Police complaints watchdog CNDS said 228 people sought its help in 2009 regarding custody conditions, excessive use of strip-searches and homophobic or racist remarks.

This is up from 152 complaints in 2008 - an "unprecedented" rise, according to the body.

Almost half of the cases related to police custody, which the CNDS said was often applied wrongly.

The group also reminds police in its annual report that strip searches should only be used in "exceptional" cases - and should not be the norm.

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