Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Deferred
Paragraph: 61
Examine measures to ensure impartial investigations for police officers accused of offences
Conclusion
We strongly recommend the Home Office examine measures to further reassure the public that officers accused of offences will be investigated without fear or favour – whether this be through investigation by an officer from another force or through some other means.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government discusses existing provisions under the victim's code for referral to victim support services and the Ministry of Justice's Victim's Funding Strategy, rather than addressing the recommendation for independent investigation measures for officers accused of offences.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
61
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
32. The majority of complaints and conduct matters can be investigated effectively by force Professional Standards Departments (PSDs). However, the most serious and sensitive matters are handled independently of the police by the IOPC, with police forces required by law to refer certain allegations to the IOPC under the mandatory referral criteria. This includes allegations of serious corruption or serious sexual offences. 33. Individual investigators are already required, by law, to have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience necessary to investigate a particular allegation, before they are appointed to do so. Following the review into police officer dismissals, the Government has recommended that the College of Policing introduce an accreditation scheme for professional standards investigators, to ensure the very highest standard of investigations.
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