John Wadham, Director of Liberty, said today


"Liberty very much welcome's Nick Hardwick's appointment. The key issue for Nick Hardwick, and the Commission, will be to create an effective and credible system of police complaints.

He will need to inspire and sustain public confidence. Given his track record in providing services to some of the most marginalised people in our society he brings experience that will be invaluable in developing an inclusive Commission that is accessible to all."

Notes

Liberty has fought for over twenty years for a new system of police complaints - one that is not based on the police investigating themselves. Two years ago Liberty's lobbying and research work succeeded in convincing the government that it needed to change the system. Liberty was happy to work with the government on what is now the Police Reform Act which provides the basis for the Independent Police Complaints Commission and to provide advice on how the system should be set up.