Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the authority’s response to a complaint against police. This is because the substantive matter relates to the investigation of crime and the law does not allow us to consider such complaints.

The complaint

1. X complained the Authority did not have proper oversight of the local police service due to repeated instances where they alleged the police had caused him harm.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if it is about action taken by or on behalf of any local policing body in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, Section 26, paragraph 2 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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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate X’s complaint because the law does not allow us to investigate any actions by the Authority in connection with the investigation of crime.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman