COMPLAINTS against North Yorkshire Police officers continue to fall - but half of all allegations still involve claims of assault or incivility, according to a new report.

Two officers convicted of criminal offences have also been required to resign since April this year, while five more officers have been given written warnings as a result of their behaviour.

Many investigations are being conducted more quickly, but the force has yet to reach the national target of four months for each case, and eight allegations that are more than one year old remain outstanding.

Superintendent Tim Madgwick, head of complaints and professional standards, told the Evening Press that his newly invigorated department was cutting investigation times and building confidence in the system.

He said: "If officers have done something wrong then the quality of the investigation team we have now will uncover that. But equally they will uncover if complaints are vexatious, false or elaborated."

His report, which will be shown to the police authority next week, reveals that complaints in the York and Selby area have been cut by more than a half, while all other areas have also shown a fall.

The total number of allegations made against North Yorkshire Police staff between April and September has fallen from 217 between April and September 2002 to 149 during the same period this year.

Since April the force has also dealt with half of all new investigations in under 60 days, while the average investigation time has fallen from 210 to 152 days.

Of the 140 complaints dealt with by the force since April, fewer than one in ten were substantiated.

Supt Madgwick said the "straight bat" approach of the unit puts it in a good position for the introduction of the Independent Complaints Commission next year.

The Government group, which will replace the Police Complaints Authority, will have an expanded role in dealing with complaints. For the first time witnesses to incidents will also be able to complain.

Updated: 08:29 Friday, October 17, 2003