AN ORGANISATION designed to boost public confidence in the police starts work today.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is charged with investigating grievances against forces in England and Wales.

For the first time, allegations will be examined by civilians rather than other officers.

Ian Bynoe, IPCC commissioner for the Swindon area, said the body would have tougher legal powers than the Police Complaints Authority, which it has replaced.

"For the first time, it will be able independently to investigate complaints of serious police misconduct," said Mr Bynoe.

"I and my colleagues will work rigorously, but fairly, to improve public confidence in the police complaints system and in the outcome of investigations, both serious and less serious.

"Through this, we aim to make our police service more accountable and more effective."

Most complaints will continue to be investigated by the police at local level, but the IPCC has the right to investigate the most serious complaints such as deaths in police custody using its own teams of independent investigators.

It also has the power to examine any matter even where no complaint has been made.

And members of the public have the right to appeal to the IPCC if they think a police investigation into their complaint has been handled inappropriately.

Wiltshire Police has a good record compared with similar forces.

Last year it received complaints in connection with 48 cases down from 68 in the previous year.

In 2002-03, 79 individual allegations were investigated, of which 10 were upheld.

The PCA has begun to supervise the investigation into the death of Colin Holcombe, which is being carried out by Avon and Somerset Police.

Mr Holcombe, from Faringdon, died in Westlea police station on December 28 last year. The 50-year-old, who had been drunk at the time of his arrest, collapsed and died after spending the night alone in a police cell.

If a similar incident happened today, it would be independently investigated or managed rather than just supervised by the IPCC.

A spokesman for the Police Complaints Authority said the investigation was progressing well but could still take several months to complete.

To contact the IPCC call 08453 002002, email enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk, or go to www.ipcc.gov.uk.