They are recorded by the police force in the first instance, and those who are unhappy with how their case is handled can appeal.
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“There could be a number of reasons for an increase, including complaints made around child sexual exploitation and the Hillsborough disaster”.
The figures, a record high for the second year running, show a 6% rise made in 2013-14.
IPCC chair Dame Anne Owens warned that nationally the police complaints procedure needs an overhaul.
A few forces investigated more than 70 per cent of complaints, while others used local resolution in more than 70 per cent of cases.
The Metropolitan Police, the UK’s largest force had the highest number of complaints with 6,828.
The total number of appeals made by dissatisfied complainants was 212 – a 17 per cent increase.
In Essex, there were 1,153 complaints in total – a 24 per cent increase on the year before.
PEOPLE in Bradford have been assured their concerns about police are taken seriously after a watchdog report showed complaints about West Yorkshire officers had increased by 26 per cent.
The figures by the IPCC said the total number of appeals made by dissatisfied complainants had dropped 5 percent.
Mike Penning, Minister of State for policing, crime, criminal justice and victims, said: “These figures show the clear need for radical reform of the police complaints system, which this Government will be taking forward in the forthcoming Policing and Criminal Justice Bill”.
She said: “Chief officers and police and crime commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well”.
In West Yorkshire, 62 per cent of cases were investigated formally, rather than through informal local resolution processes.
“It is vital that our force is accountable for its actions and we are proud to have been able to introduce a system that delivers a better service to the public. “.
The proportion of complaints that were initially upheld in each force, ranging from seven per cent to 27 per cent; and the proportion of investigation appeals each force upheld, ranged from none to two-thirds.
On average, it took 82 days for West Yorkshire Police to resolve a complaint.
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“There is always more that can be done, including resolving complaints quicker than the three month average, and I know the Deputy Chief Constable strives to make the complaints process as simple and fair as possible”.
