Overview
The SPCC provides independent oversight of the Service Police complaints process to raise standards in Service Policing, and secure trust and confidence in the Service Police complaints system. SPCC's jurisdiction is worldwide (except Gibraltar), wherever there is a Service Police presence.
The SPCC’s role is similar to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who are the police complaints watchdog for England and Wales. It is responsible for investigating the most serious complaints and conduct matters involving the police and sets the standard by which the police should handle complaints.
The introduction of the SPCC role was recommended in His Honour Shaun Lyon’s review of the Service Justice System. Defence agreed to model its oversight functions on the independent IOPC.
The Service Police (Complaints etc.) Regulations came into force on 19 June 2023, providing the statutory framework for investigating complaints and misconduct (which includes criminal investigations) that involve the Service Police, whilst also establishing a system for dealing with super-complaints.
It is important to note that the SPCC is separate from the SPCC is separate from the Armed Forces Commissioner (AFC). The AFC considers complaints made by Service and ex-Service personnel who believe they were wronged during their service in the Armed Forces.
What we do
We investigate the most serious complaints and conduct matters that involve the Service Police and we set the standards by which each Service Police Professional Standards Department should handle complaints.
The role of the SPCC includes:
- A statutory duty to secure, maintain and review arrangements for procedures that deal with complaints, conduct, and Death and Serious Injury (DSI) matters.
- To secure the confidence of persons subject to service law and discipline, and the wider public, in the Service Police complaints system.
- To make recommendations and provide advice on Service Police complaint arrangements – for example, providing training or guidance on changes to procedures where this may improve policing practice.
Investigations
Service Police must, under legislation, refer the most serious incidents to the Service Police Complaints Commissioner, whether or not someone has made a complaint. For example, if police action results in a person being seriously injured or dying:
- A statutory duty to secure, maintain and review arrangements for procedures that deal with complaints, conduct, and Death and Serious Injury (DSI) matters.
- To secure the confidence of persons subject to service law and discipline, and the wider public, in the Service Police complaints system.
SPCC investigators, who conduct investigations on behalf of the Commissioner, have the same powers as a Service Police Officer – as set out in Regulation 36(4), within Schedule 1 of the SPCC Regulations.
The regulations cover the:
- Royal Navy Police
- Royal Military Police
- Royal Air Force Police
- Defence Serious Crime Command
Reviews
Under Section 18(2) and 64(1) of the Service Police (Complaints) Regulations (2023), a complainant has the right to apply for a review on the outcome of a complaint about the Service Police that has been dealt with, other than by investigation, as long as the SPCC is the relevant review body. This applies no matter the level of severity.
An application for a review provides opportunity for the SPCC to consider whether a complaint outcome is reasonable and proportionate and if it is not, seek to address it.
Any requests for a review should be made using the Annex L form (via the submit a complaint button) and sent to people-dpt-spcc-enquiries@mod.gov.uk.
How we are governed
As a Crown appointee, the Service Police Complaints Commissioner is accountable to Parliament. The Commissioner is independent of the Service Police, Ministry of Defence and government.
Our independence
Independence underpins all aspects of the Service Police Complaints Commissioner’s work, and all decisions are made completely independent of the Ministry of Defence and government.
Meet Jonathan Rees KC, Acting Service Police Complaints Commissioner
Jonathan Rees KC has been appointed as Acting Service Police Complaints Commissioner, bringing independent oversight to the Service Police complaints process. His role ensures the highest standards of fairness, accountability, and professionalism, aligning the Service Police with their civilian counterparts.