Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of a Police and Crime Commissioner reviewing complaints about a police force in relation to a criminal investigation. We have no jurisdiction to investigate this matter.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the authority’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) carried out a flawed and biased review of the response by the police to his complaint about a criminal matter.
2. Mr X said the attitude of the PCC has made him angry.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as Police and Crime Commissioners in relation to criminal investigations by the Police service. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34A, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained the review carried out on behalf of the PCC into Mr X’s complaint about a police investigation was biased and covered up facts. He said the PCC’s statement that its decision was final made him angry.
7. Mr X’s complaint related to a speeding conviction which is a criminal matter. We have no jurisdiction to investigate the actions of PCCs where the substantive matter concerns how the police carried out a criminal investigation. Therefore, we cannot investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we do not have the jurisdiction to do so.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman