ACPO lead for professional standards Chief Constable Mike Cunningham said:

"Policing by its very nature is public facing and as such ensuring that our interactions meet with the standard expected is critical to maintaining public confidence. Officers have thousands of such interactions each day and most end well. Where there are instances of professional standards falling short, it's imperative to find out why and put it right.

"Chief constables around the country are committed to ensuring that high professional standards are maintained. The police service has worked closely with the IPCC in implementing its recording guidance for complaints, including improving service delivery on the length of time dealing with complaints and more outcomes through locally agreed resolutions.

"This report shows that the service can continue to improve, particularly in the initial recording of complaints to ensure that the system reflects the seriousness and value that police attach to the complaints process. The police service cannot continue to improve without feedback and we need the public to continue to come forward when they consider the service has fallen short."