cases (the Board had no supervisory powers). The Police and Criminal Evidence Act also introduced the informal resolution procedure for dealing with minor complaints (e.g. incivility), whereby complainants, if they chose, could have their complaints dealt with by more informal means, which did not involve either the Authority or a formal investigation.
84.
The Police Complaints Authority is required to report annually to the Secretary of State on the discharge of its functions during the year. Such annual reports typically include explanations and comments on the Authority's responsibilities, summaries of cases of particular interest, and any matters which may have arisen during the year which in its view deserve attention. The Authority is also required to report to the Secretary of State every three years on the workings of the complaints procedures. The Secretary of State is required to lay before Parliament a copy of every annual report and triennial review report received by him and cause them to be published.
85.
Although the numbers of complaints made in recent years have been generally rising (a total of 17,393 complaints cases were received in 1986 and 18,828 in 1987; no corresponding figure is available for 1988), the number of complaints substantiated has been falling (1,129 in 1986, 924 in 1987 and 853 in 1988). Detailed figures are published each year in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
86.
The 1984 Act requires the chief officer to refer to the Authority any complaint alleging that the conduct complained of resulted in the death of or serious injury to some other person. Regulations also require reference to the Authority of any complaint alleging conduct which, if shown to have occurred, would constitute assault occasioning actual bodily harm; or an offence under section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1904; or a serious arrestable offence within the meaning of section 116 of the 1984 Act. Notification of the complaint must be given to the Authority within a specified time. The Act also provides that the chief officer may refer to the Authority any complaint which is not required to be referred to it, and empowers the Authority to require the submission to it of any complaint not referred to it by the chief officer.
87. Under another provision of the Act, any indication that an officer may have committed a criminal or disciplinary offence may be referred to the Authority even if it is not the subject of a complaint, if it appears to the chief officer that it ought to be referred by reason of its gravity or because of exceptional circumstances.
88. The Police Complaints Authority is required to supervise the investigation of any complaint referred to it under the 1984 Act, and of any other complaint or other matter referred to it if it considers that it is desirable in the public interest to do so. If the Authority supervises an investigation, it may approve the appointment of the investigating officer.
89. The Act provides that the officer appointed to conduct a formal investigation should be of at least the rank of chief inspector and of at least the rank of the officer against whom the complaint is made. He should also be serving in a different subdivision or branch from the officer complained against. In appropriate cases, the chief officer will invite an officer from another force to conduct the investigation.