The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has reported a significant rise in workload, partly driven by members of the public using artificial intelligence to draft complaints and legal challenges. In 2025/26, the watchdog received 3,051 requests to review police complaint outcomes, a 24.3% increase from the previous year.
AI-Generated Complaints on the Rise
Investigators have identified AI-assisted applications due to their similar layouts and content. Some even cite legislation that does not exist in England and Wales, complicating the review process. The proportion of upheld requests has declined from 39.5% in 2022/23 to 26.8% in 2025/26.
The IOPC also noted a rise in requests for judicial reviews of its decisions. At least a quarter of these are believed to have been generated with AI help. Director General Rachel Watson commented: “We do see more AI-generated complaints. In a way, that’s a good thing, because maybe people didn’t feel able before. But it does generate work, and when AI invents legislation, it gets more complicated.”
Upcoming Changes to Policing
The watchdog is preparing for major reforms, including a higher threshold for prosecuting police officers for use of force, expected from the Home Office next month. This follows the high-profile case of Police Sergeant Martyn Blake, who shot Chris Kaba in 2022. The change is expected to affect dozens of cases across England and Wales.
Rachel Watson also highlighted a forthcoming consultation on raising the threshold for unlawful killing verdicts at inquests. She stated: “It’s relatively low for unlawful killing to be found, creating expectations that the system often cannot meet for bereaved families.”
Record Referrals and Calls for Reform
The IOPC received a record 7,088 referrals from police forces in 2025/26, the highest since its establishment in 2018. While it launched 316 independent investigations, Watson aims to double this to 500-600. She called for an overhaul of the police conduct system, arguing it is not fit for purpose. She suggested that many officers could be dealt with through internal learning rather than lengthy misconduct panels.
“Frontline officers under extreme pressure may breach standards and then face months-long investigations and hearings. Greater flexibility to move quickly to performance support would help,” she said. “Most complainants want an apology and assurance it won’t happen again, not a prolonged process.”
Speeding Up Investigations
The IOPC is exploring ways to expedite investigations, including running misconduct proceedings before criminal trials. Watson described misconduct processes as “massively clunky” with more paperwork than a criminal trial. She noted that criminal trials are now being scheduled for 2030 in some cases, making it unsustainable to wait.
She also urged supervising officers to take firmer action against misbehaviour early in a recruit’s career, advocating a “one strike and you’re out” policy for new officers. “When someone is new, they can be dismissed more swiftly. There is too high a tolerance for inappropriate language or behaviour,” she concluded.
