THE police commissioner for Warwickshire has hit out at what he calls a "gross distortion" of complaints by the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the past two years.

Ron Ball has rubbished claims that more than half of all police and crime commissioners have had complaints made about them. Mr Ball described the coverage of the figures as ‘misleading’ and ‘tarring the reputation of those many PCCs working hard to serve their community.’

Mr Ball argued that out of 43 complaints made against 23 police and crime commissions only six were actually investigated, with three leading to ‘no further action’.

The complaints commission has confirmed that a third of the 43 complaints received were about crime commissioners not registering with the Information Commissioner as information providers, and none of these were taken forward for investigation.

Mr Ball said: "The IPCC’s figures have been grossly distorted and presented in a way that is misleading. I am not supporting the actions of crime commissions that have acted wrongfully. Where there is clear evidence of wrong-doing, it is right for a complaint to be raised and fully investigated.

“However, what I am against is using a small number of incidents as a stick to beat the rest of us with. The majority of police and crime commissions are delivering real change and ensuring local residents have a powerful voice in the policing of their communities.

“I am clear that the governance of the role requires some reform - just as we hold our Chief Constables to account, there must also be a clear framework for crime commissions s to be publicly accountable. Yet the actions of a small minority must not be used to tarnish the role as a whole.”