UPDATED: Tougher sanctions for officers who damage confidence in the police

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Police officers who behave in a way which damages the public’s confidence in policing should face tougher sanctions, the College of Policing said today. 

The professional body for policing has reviewed and updated guidance on misconduct proceedings to make clear that any undermining of public confidence caused by an officer’s wrongdoing should be central to the decision making around outcomes. 

A new specific section on violence against women and girls says that such cases will always have a ‘high degree of culpability, with the likely outcome being severe’. 

The guidance is intended for the most serious cases of misconduct which are heard by chief officers and independent legally qualified chairs. Legally qualified chairs were introduced in January 2016 for hearings where the evidence needs to be tested. They are usually lawyers, are independent of the police and in the year to March 2021 they chaired 81% of all misconduct hearings.  
 

In announcing the guidance, Chief Constable Andy Marsh, College of Policing CEO said:  

“Officers who commit violence towards women and girls should expect to be sacked and barred from re-joining the police. There is no place in policing for anyone who behaves in a way that damages the public’s trust in us to keep them safe. 

“Today’s new guidance helps bring common sense and consistency to a process that is crucial to maintaining public trust in police. We need a misconduct system which is transparent, timely and isn’t afraid to show the door to officers who betray our values.  

“I know from more than 30 years in policing that the vast majority of officers are dedicated public servants who work hard every day to keep people safe. They do not wish to work alongside officers who commit crimes or impact the trust people have in us. 

“The process will be fair but any officer whose behaviour is found to damage public confidence in the police service should expect to be sacked.” 
 

The Home Secretary, Rt Hon Priti Patel, welcomed the new guidance, saying: 

“The public must have trust and confidence in the police and expect them to keep our streets safe and carry out their duties to the highest professional standards. 

 “Police officers who fall seriously short of the standards expected of them must be dealt with fairly and robustly. 

“I have made clear I expect the police to get the basics right when it comes to policing and serving the public. Part two of the Angiolini Inquiry will be brought forward to review wider issues across policing, such as vetting practices, professional standards and discipline, and workplace behaviour. These issues have undermined public trust and confidence in policing and this must change. 

“It is right that Police officers who damage public confidence face appropriate sanctions and I welcome the College of Policing's commitment to building trust in policing.” 

The guidance on outcomes will be used alongside the Police Conduct Regulations laid in parliament in 2020 which set out the process.  

When misconduct is serious enough to warrant at least a written warning it is dealt with by a misconduct hearing. There are two types of hearing, one held by a chief officer when the evidence is clear, such as a guilty verdict or plea in court, and the other, much more common, is held by independent legally qualified chairs. 

National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Complaints and Misconduct, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, said: 

“Police chiefs are committed to rooting out those officers who betray our professional standards and the public we serve. Those behind the most serious misconduct offences should receive the most severe response. 

“This new guidance gives misconduct panels unequivocal direction that policing wants to see behaviour driven by misogyny, racism or any other form of discrimination treated with the highest gravity. This supports all the recent work policing has undertaken to tackle violence against women and girls. 

“It shows the public that we are determined to eliminate toxic behaviour and damaging culture. 

“Chiefs across the country will immediately share this guidance with all misconduct decision-makers with their clear support so it can be directly applied to all misconduct cases right away. 

“The guidance will also ensure there is absolute clarity around the most appropriate sanctions for the worst cases." 

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