Growing claims against officers

THE number of complaints against the police force has risen 17 per cent in the second quarter this year, compared with the same period last year.

From April to June the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) received 873 public complaints, up from 749 cases in the second quarter in 1994.

The complaints encompassed 1,088 allegations.

Assault claims made up 38 per cent of total allegations, a 12 per cent decrease over the second quarter of 1994.

There were 294 allegations of offensive language or poor manners, up from 256 cases in 1994.

Neglect of duty, made up 15 per cent of the total allegations, and most of the 162 such claims alleged improper action on crime reports.