Appendix 2: Independent and effective determination of complaints against the police (Opinion of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, CommDH (2009)4) Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................................... 82 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 83 2. Definitions........................................................................................................................ 84 3. Delivery of policing services: general principles................................................ 86 4. The purpose and nature of a police complaints system.................................. 87 5. Independent Police Complaints Body................................................................... 89 6. Operation of the police complaints system......................................................... 92 6.1 Visibility and accessibility......................................................................................... 92 6.2 Notification, recording and allocation................................................................. 93 6.3 Mediation process....................................................................................................... 94 6.4 Investigation process................................................................................................. 95 6.5 Resolution and review.............................................................................................100 References...........................................................................................................................102 Acknowledgements The Commissioner would like to express his gratitude to Dr Graham Smith, external consultant, for his assistance in preparing this Opinion. Appendices ► Page 81