Select committee: Home Affairs Committee

Conclusion 11

Fifth Report - Policing priorities Published 10 Nov 2023 Paragraph 39 Addressed to Home Office
Conclusion (the committee's words)
When the Home Office first proposed its review of dismissals, the Independent Office for Police Conduct argued that the focus on dismissals was “too narrow.” We agree. The Home Office’s proposals will not address the overall weaknesses in the misconduct and disciplinary system.

From: Home Affairs Committee, Fifth Report - Policing priorities (HC 635), paragraph 39, 10 November 2023

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 19 January 2024 (deadline 10 January 2024).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government's response sets out its priorities as to "cut crime, improve trust and confidence in policing and deliver justice and high-quality outcomes for victims", and responds to the Committee's recommendations individually, supporting some, leaving others to the sector and declining some.

  • On a further independent review of the Met, the government points to Baroness Casey's timetable of progress reviews after two years and five years, saying "We would support a commitment to that timetable from the Mayor".
  • On vetting, it believes the framework "should remain with the College" of Policing rather than being made statutory on transfer, and says it is for PCCs how they hold Chief Constables to account.
  • On time limits for misconduct cases, it argues that targets "could potentially create perverse incentives for investigators to rush", and instead points to the August 2023 reforms it considers "likely to improve timeliness and efficiency".
  • On the Right Care, Right Person approach, it commits to a joint evaluation with DHSC, with findings feeding into a report "due to be completed in Spring 2024, which we intend to publish".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error