David Petch was a Member of the Police Complaints Authority from 2001 to 2004. Subsequently, he was a Commissioner in the Independent Police Commission (IPCC) from 2004 to 2009.  In both organisations David oversaw a wide range of investigations into particular cases including the police use of firearms, allegations of police corruption, deaths in police custody, the treatment of detainees with mental health problems, the police handling of demonstrations and public disorder. Using its own investigators, the IPCC could chose to take on these investigations itself or else allow the Professional Standards departments of police forces to carry them out under IPCC management.

David’s career previous to this was in the Civil Service, mainly in the MOD and the Cabinet Office, including several spells with the Northern Ireland Office dealing with policy issues on Security and policing in the Province.