Police complaints and discipline IPCC governance
On 12 March 2015, the Government published the report from a Triennial Review of the IPCC15. A key element of such reviews is to consider whether the governance arrangements of the organisation are in line with recognised principles of good corporate governance.
	The review noted IPCC’s change programme to deliver the Home Secretary’s commitment to ensure that it investigates all serious and sensitive cases involving the police by 2017/18. Organisational change has been significant with increased funding and with staff numbers increasing to around 900 by March 2016 (compared to around 400 in March 2013).
	The review also noted that the current structure of the IPCC has resulted in Commissioners having a dual role "being engaged in both the governance of the organisation and its operational activity".16 The review recommended that the IPCC "consider what governance arrangements…..will best secure efficient, effective and accountable operations".
	The IPCC’s response to the Triennial Review17 set out proposals for reform of its governance arrangements. The proposals included for powers to be vested in a single Crown appointee who would have final accountability for decision-making.
	The Home Secretary asked Sheila Drew Smith OBE to undertake an independent review of the IPCC’s proposals to assess and test them and, if appropriate, make alternative recommendations. Sheila Drew Smith’s report18 was published on 17 December 2015 alongside the launch of a public consultation19 on reforming the IPCC’s structure and governance.
	The Government’s response to the consultation was published on 7 March 2016, and the Home Secretary announced that she would bring forward amendments to the then Policing and Crime Bill to provide for a new governance model (House of Commons, Official Report, 7 March 2016, column 43).
	The existing Commission structure will be replaced and the reformed organisation will be known as the Independent Office for Police Conduct ("the IOPC").
	The IOPC will be headed by a Director General, appointed by Her Majesty The Queen. The Director General will have ultimate responsibility for individual case work decisions, including in respect of the investigation of the most serious and sensitive allegations involving the police. Corporate governance will be provided by a board comprising a majority of non-executive directors, appointed by the Home Secretary.
	Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the Act gives effect to these changes.