23/03/2026 regarding Gwent Police
Sent: 23 March 2026 11:54
To: Contacthmicfrs@hmicfrs.gov.uk
Subject: SYSTEMIC FAILURE – Formal Complaints – Mandatory Registration Required (Police Reform Act 2002)
Dear HMICFRS,
I write to bring to your attention a matter which may indicate a systemic issue in the handling of police complaints.
On 5 January 2026, I submitted a formal complaint to Gwent Police under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002. Despite subsequent correspondence, no acknowledgment or recording decision has been provided.
The absence of any recording decision suggests a failure to comply with statutory complaint recording obligations.
This raises potential concerns regarding:
- Whether complaints are being consistently recorded;
- The integrity of complaint data;
- Compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks;
- Oversight of Professional Standards Departments.
Given the broader implications for public confidence and inspection frameworks, I considered it appropriate to bring this matter to your attention. A brief timeline is set out below:
Timeline Annex – Gwent Police Complaint Recording Failure
5 January 2026
- Formal complaint submitted to Gwent Police PSD under Schedule 3 Police Reform Act 2002
- Complaint explicitly identified as statutory
- Multiple heads of complaint set out
- Request made for:
- Recording confirmation
- Reference number(s)
- Handling pathway and review rights
2 February 2026
- Follow-up email sent to PSD
- No acknowledgment or response received
- Email copied to:
- Police and Crime Commissioner
- Joint Legal Services
17 February 2026
- Further follow-up sent
- No acknowledgment or response received – despite an assurance from Katie Jones for Deputy Chief Constable Nicky Brain
- As at present date
- No confirmation of complaint recording
- No reference number issued
- No indication of handling pathway
- No response to any correspondence
Position
- Complaint remains unacknowledged and unrecorded
- Indicates failure to discharge statutory duty to record complaint