Guidance on Police Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures

Home Office circular 51 / 2005

Guidance on Police Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures

  • Broad subject: Police Service
  • Issue date: Mon Nov 28 00:00:00 GMT 2005
  • From:
    Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group (CRCSG), Policing Policy, Police Leadership and Powers Unit (PLPU)
  • Linked circulars:
    8 / 2005
  • Copies sent to:
    Association of Chief Police Officers (England,Wales and Northern Ireland),Chief Officers of Police (England and Wales), Clerks to the Police Authorities, Director General, National Crime Squad,HM Inspector of Constabulary,Police Staff Associations, IPCC
  • Sub category: Police discipline
  • Implementation date: Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 GMT 2005
  • For more info contact:
    Diane Henderson - 0207 035 0847, Sarah Muir - 0207 035 0836
  • Addressed to:
    Chief Officers of Police (England and Wales)

Dear Chief Officer

1. Part 2 of the Police Reform Act (PRA) 2002 provided the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) with the power to issue guidance on the complaints system.

2. Following extensive consultation, the IPCC have issued their guidance 'Making the new police complaints system work better'. This is statutory guidance that has been approved by the Secretary of State and takes effect from 1st December 2005.

3. As a consequence of the IPCC guidance coming into effect, section 2 of the Home Office Guidance on Police Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures that dealt with the guidance on handling of the complaints prior to the Police Reform Act, will no longer be in use. Forces may wish to keep a copy of the guidance for cases dealt with prior to the introduction of the Police reform Act.

4. The other sectins of the Home Office Guidance on Police Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures, dealing with guidance on Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures, Police Misconduct Procedures, Chief Constable's review and Police Appeal Tribunals remain in force. the most recent guidance was circulated in HOC 8/2005.

Yours faithfully

Diane Henderson
Police Integrity & Community Confidence

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