London, Oct 8 (IANS): More than 37,000 complaints were lodged against police forces in England and Wales last year -- a record high, figures released on Thursday said.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said 37,105 complaints were recorded in 2014-15, a six percent rise from the previous year, Xinhua reported.

The IPCC said most complaints were for "neglect or failure in duty" and follow a survey by the commission which showed public satisfaction following contact with the police was falling.

Around 14 percent of the complaints were said to be about "incivility, impoliteness and intolerance" shown by officers.

Dame Anne Owers, chair of the IPCC, said she welcomed government proposals, announced earlier this year by Home Secretary Theresa May, to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline the police complaints system.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Goodwin, who speaks for the police nationally on complaints, said: "The system for handling complaints is complex and leads to inconsistencies between forces. The system is being reviewed with the aim improving it for those with a complaint and the forces handling it."

Minister for Policing Mike Penning said the figures show the system of complaints is "too often complex, opaque and unresponsive to both complainants and officers".