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<p>The Metropolitan Police Service, in common with all other police forces in the
United Kingdom, is operationally independent from Government. To protect and maintain
that independence, Ministers do not intervene in individual cases, complaints or operational
decisions made by the police and nor should MPs.</p><p>Allegations against the police
are handled under a comprehensive legislative framework, which includes the role of
the independent police “watchdog”, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC is responsible for investigating the most serious and sensitive cases and,
by law, forces must refer certain matters to them – including any allegation of serious
corruption. The Government strengthened the police complaints and discipline systems
in February 2020 making them more timely, proportionate and accountable. This included
additional powers for the IOPC, including the “power of initiative” to ensure they
can investigate of its own volition without first requiring a referral from a police
force.</p>
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