Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/62/made
Timestamp: 2019-02-16 18:33:47
Document Index: 735456520

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'ART 2', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'ART 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'ART 4', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'ART 5', 'art 2', 'art 2']

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 31 and 154(5) of, and Schedule 7 to, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011(1).
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 and shall come into force on 16th January 2012.
in relation to a police and crime commissioner or deputy police and crime commissioner for a police area listed in Schedule 1 to the Police Act 1996(4), the police and crime panel established for that police area under section 28(1) of the 2011 Act;
in relation to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime or the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, the committee established under section 32 of the 2011 Act;
police and crime commissioner;
deputy police and crime commissioner;
the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime;
holds the relevant office at the time of the conduct but subsequently ceases to hold that office; or
holds the relevant office at the time when a complaint or conduct matter comes to the attention of the police and crime panel, but did not hold that office at the time of the conduct;
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (6), the functions of the Commission in relation to relevant office holders and police and crime panels shall be—
(6) With the exception of regulation 13(1)(b) and (2)(b), nothing in these Regulations shall confer any function on the Commission in relation to any complaint or conduct matter which is—
(a)referred to the Commission under regulation 13 (reference of complaints and conduct matters to the Commission) and for the time being referred back to a police and crime panel under regulation 14(2) (duties of Commission on a reference);
(b)handled by a police and crime panel as permitted by regulation 15(2) (disapplication of requirements of Regulations); or
(c)subjected to resolution under Part 4 (resolution of other complaints).
(7) Regulations made under section 27 of the 2002 Act (conduct of the Commission’s staff) shall apply in relation to allegations or indications of misconduct by members of the Commission’s staff arising in connection with the exercise of functions conferred on the Commission by these Regulations.
4. Section 22 of the 2002 Act (power of the Commission to issue guidance) shall apply in relation to the exercise or performance of the powers or duties conferred or imposed by these Regulations, modified so that it has effect as follows—
“Power of the Commission and Secretary of State to issue guidance
22.—(1) The Commission may issue guidance to—
(a)police and crime panels,
(b)relevant office holders, and
(c)chief officers of police,
concerning the exercise or performance by them of any of the powers or duties conferred or imposed by the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2011 (“the 2011 Regulations”), with the exception of regulations 14(2) and 15(2) and Part 4.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the guidance that may be issued under that subsection includes—
(a)guidance about the handling of complaints which have not yet been recorded and about dealing with conduct matters that have not been recorded;
(b)guidance about the procedure to be followed by a police and crime panel when recording a complaint or conduct matter;
(c)guidance about the circumstances in which it is appropriate (where it is lawful to do so)—
(i)to disclose to any person, or to publish, any information about an investigation of a serious complaint or conduct matter; or
(d)guidance about the manner and timing of notifications to be given under the 2011 Regulations.
(3) Before issuing any guidance under subsection (1), the Commission shall consult with—
(a)such persons as appear to the Commission to represent the views of police and crime panels;
(b)such persons as appear to the Commission to represent the views of relevant office holders;
(c)such persons as appear to the Commission to represent the views of chief officers of police; and
(d)such other persons as the Commission thinks fit.
(4) The approval of the Secretary of State shall be required for the issue by the Commission of any guidance under subsection (1).
(5) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to—
concerning the exercise or performance by them of any of the powers or duties conferred or imposed by regulations 14(2) and 15(2) and Part 4 of the 2011 Regulations.
(6) Before issuing any guidance under subsection (5), the Secretary of State shall consult with—
(a)such persons as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the views of police and crime panels;
(b)such persons as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the views of relevant office holders;
(c)the Greater London Authority; and
(7) Nothing in this section shall authorise the issuing of any guidance about a particular case.
(8) It shall be the duty of every person to whom any guidance under this section is issued to have regard to that guidance in exercising or performing the powers and duties to which the guidance relates.
(9) In this section “police and crime panel”, “relevant office holder”, “complaint”, “serious complaint” and “conduct matter” have the same meaning as in the 2011 Regulations.”.
5.—(1) As soon as practicable after the end of each of its financial years, the Commission shall make a report to the Secretary of State on the carrying out of its functions under these Regulations during that year.
(2) The Commission shall also make such reports to the Secretary of State about matters relating generally to the carrying out of its functions under these Regulations as the Secretary of State may, from time to time, require.
(3) The Commission may, from time to time, make such other reports to the Secretary of State as it considers appropriate for drawing the Secretary of State’s attention to matters which—
(a)have come to the Commission’s notice, and
(b)are matters that it considers should be drawn to the Secretary of State’s attention by reason of their gravity or other exceptional circumstances.
(4) The Commission shall prepare such reports containing advice and recommendations as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of carrying out its function under regulation 3(1)(e) (general functions of the Commission).
lay a copy before Parliament and cause the report to be published.
(6) The Commission shall send a copy of every annual report under paragraph (1) to every police and crime panel.
(7) The Commission shall send a copy of every report under paragraph (3) to—
(a)any police and crime panel; and
(b)any relevant office holder,
that appears to the Commission to be concerned.
(8) The Commission shall send a copy of every report under paragraph (4) to—
(b)every police and crime panel.
(9) The Commission shall send a copy of every report made or prepared by it under paragraph (3) or (4) to such of the persons (in addition to those specified in the preceding paragraphs) who—
(b)appear to the Commission otherwise to have a particular interest in its contents.
General duties of police and crime panels, relevant office holders and chief officers of police
6.—(1) It shall be the duty of every police and crime panel to ensure that it is kept informed, in relation to a relevant office holder for the panel’s police area, about all matters falling within paragraph (2).
(c)any obligations to act or refrain from acting that have arisen under these Regulations, but have not yet been complied with or have been contravened.
(3) Where a chief officer of police of any police force requires the chief officer of any other police force or a local policing body to provide a person serving with the police for appointment under regulation 19 (investigations managed by the Commission), it shall be the duty of the chief officer or body to whom the requirement is addressed to comply with it.
(4) It shall be the duty of every police and crime panel, every relevant office holder and every chief officer of police to provide the Commission and every member of the Commission’s staff with all such assistance as the Commission or that member of staff may reasonably require for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of any investigation by the Commission under regulation 20.
(5) It shall be the duty of every police and crime panel, every relevant office holder and every chief officer of police to ensure that a person appointed under regulation 19 to conduct an investigation under the management of the Commission is given all such assistance and co-operation in the carrying out of that investigation as that person may reasonably require.
Delegation of powers and duties by police and crime panels
7.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a police and crime panel may delegate all or any of the powers or duties conferred or imposed on it by these Regulations, with the exception of Part 4 (resolution of other complaints), to—
(a)the chief executive appointed by the elected local policing body for the panel’s police area under paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1 or paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 3 to the 2011 Act; or
(b)in the case of the London Assembly police and crime panel, the monitoring officer appointed by the Greater London Authority under section 73(1) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999(5).
(2) A police and crime panel shall not delegate any power or duty under paragraph (1) to a chief executive or a monitoring officer who is also a relevant office holder.
(3) Where the London Assembly police and crime panel delegates powers or duties conferred or imposed by or under regulations 9 (notification and recording of complaints), 11 (notification and recording of conduct matters arising in civil proceedings) or 12 (recording of conduct matters in other cases) to the monitoring officer appointed by the Greater London Authority, the monitoring officer shall notify the chief executive appointed by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime of any complaint or conduct matter considered by the monitoring officer in accordance with those regulations.
PART 2Initial Handling of Complaints and Conduct Matters
Duties to preserve evidence
8.—(1) Where a complaint or conduct matter that relates to the conduct of a relevant office holder comes to the attention of the police and crime panel, it shall be the duty of that panel to secure that all such steps as are appropriate for the purposes of these Regulations are taken, both initially and from time to time after that, for obtaining and preserving evidence relating to the conduct in question.
(a)a complaint is made to a relevant office holder,
(b)a relevant office holder becomes aware that a complaint has been made to a police and crime panel, a chief officer of police or the Commission, or
(c)a relevant office holder becomes aware of any conduct matter,
it shall be the duty of the office holder to take all such steps as appear to him to be appropriate for the purposes of these Regulations for obtaining and preserving evidence relating to the conduct in question.
(3) The relevant office holder’s duty under paragraph (2) must be performed as soon as practicable after—
(a)the complaint is made,
(b)the relevant office holder becomes aware of the complaint, or
(c)the relevant office holder becomes aware of the conduct matter,
(4) After that, the relevant office holder shall be under a duty, until he is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for him to do so, to continue to take the steps from time to time appearing to him to be appropriate for the purposes of these Regulations for obtaining and preserving the evidence relating to the conduct in question.
(5) It shall be the duty of a police and crime panel to comply with all such directions as may be given to it by the Commission in relation to the performance of its duty under paragraph (1).
(6) It shall be the duty of a relevant office holder to take all such steps for obtaining or preserving evidence as he may be directed to take for the purposes of this regulation by the police and crime panel or by the Commission.
Notification and recording of complaints
9.—(1) Where a complaint is made to the Commission that relates to the conduct of a relevant office holder, it shall give notification of the complaint to the police and crime panel unless it considers that there are exceptional circumstances that justify notification not being given.
(2) Where a complaint is made to a police and crime panel that relates to the conduct of a relevant office holder, it shall—
(a)determine whether or not it is itself the police and crime panel in relation to that relevant office holder; and
(b)if it determines that it is not, give notification of the complaint to the panel that is.
(3) Where a complaint is made to a chief officer of police that relates to the conduct of a relevant office holder, he shall give notification of the complaint to the police and crime panel.
(4) Where a complaint is made to a relevant office holder that relates to his own conduct, he shall give notification of the complaint to the police and crime panel.
(a)a police and crime panel determines, in the case of a complaint made to the panel that relates to the conduct of a relevant office holder, that it is itself the police and crime panel in relation to that relevant office holder, or
(b)a complaint is notified to a police and crime panel under this regulation,
the panel shall record the complaint.
(6) Nothing in this regulation shall require the notification or recording by any person of any complaint if—
(a)that person is satisfied that the subject-matter of the complaint has been, or is already being, dealt with by means of criminal proceedings against the relevant office holder; or
(b)the complaint has been withdrawn in accordance with regulation 16.
Failures to record or notify a complaint
10.—(1) This regulation applies where anything which is or purports to be a complaint in relation to which regulation 9 (notification and recording of complaints) has effect is received by a police and crime panel, a relevant office holder or a chief officer of police (whether in consequence of having been made directly or of a notification under that regulation).
(2) If the police and crime panel, relevant office holder or chief officer of police decides not to take action under regulation 9 for notifying or recording the whole or any part of what has been received, the panel, office holder or chief officer shall notify the complainant of the following matters—
(a)the decision to take no action and, if that decision relates to only part of what was received, the part in question; and
(b)the grounds on which the decision was made.
Notification and recording of conduct matters arising in civil proceedings
(a)a police and crime panel has received notification that civil proceedings relating to any matter have been brought by a member of the public against a relevant office holder, or it otherwise appears to a police and crime panel that such proceedings are likely to be so brought; and
(b)it appears to that panel (whether at the time of the notification or at any time subsequently) that those proceedings involve or would involve a conduct matter.
(2) The police and crime panel—
(a)shall consider whether it is itself the police and crime panel in relation to the relevant office holder concerned; and
(b)if it is not, shall notify that police and crime panel about the proceedings, or the proposal to bring them, and about the circumstances that make it appear as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b).
(3) Where a police and crime panel determines for the purposes of this regulation that it is the police and crime panel in relation to a relevant office holder to whom any conduct matter relates, it shall record that matter.
(4) Nothing in paragraph (3) shall require the police and crime panel to record any conduct matter if it is satisfied that the matter—
(a)has been recorded as a complaint under regulation 9(5); or
(b)has been, or is already being, dealt with by means of criminal proceedings against the person to whose conduct the matter relates.
Recording of conduct matters in other cases
12.—(1) Where a conduct matter comes (otherwise than as mentioned in regulation 11) to the attention of the police and crime panel for the relevant office holder concerned, it shall be the duty of the panel to record that matter.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall require the police and crime panel to record any conduct matter if it is satisfied that the matter—
(3) If it appears to the Commission—
(a)that any matter that has come to its attention is a conduct matter, but
(b)that that matter has not been recorded by the police and crime panel,
the Commission may direct the panel to record that matter; and it shall be the duty of that panel to comply with the direction.
Duties of Commission on a reference
14.—(1) It shall be the duty of the Commission in the case of every complaint or conduct matter referred to it by a police and crime panel to determine whether or not it is necessary for the complaint or matter to be investigated.
(2) Where the Commission determines under this regulation that it is not necessary for a complaint or conduct matter to be investigated, it shall refer the complaint or matter back to the police and crime panel—
(a)in the case of a complaint, to be dealt with by that panel in accordance with Part 4 (resolution of other complaints), and
(b)in the case of a conduct matter, to be dealt with by that panel in such manner (if any) as that panel may determine.
(3) Where the Commission refers a complaint or conduct matter back under paragraph (2), it shall give a notification of the making of the reference back—
(b)to the person to whose conduct the complaint or matter relates.
Disapplication of requirements of Regulations
15.—(1) This regulation applies where a complaint has been recorded by a police and crime panel unless the complaint is one which has been, or must be, referred to the Commission under regulation 13, and is not for the time being referred back to the panel under regulation 14(2).
(2) If the police and crime panel considers—
(a)that it should handle the complaint otherwise than in accordance with Part 4 or should take no action in relation to it, and
(b)that the complaint falls within a description of complaints specified in paragraph (3),
the panel may handle the complaint in whatever manner (if any) that panel thinks fit.
(3) The descriptions of complaints specified for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) are those where the police and crime panel considers that—
(a)the complaint is concerned entirely with the conduct of a relevant office holder in relation to a person who was working in his capacity as a member of the office holder’s staff at the time when the conduct is supposed to have taken place.
(b)more than 12 months have elapsed between the incident, or the latest incident, giving rise to the complaint and the making of the complaint and either—
(i)no good reason for the delay has been shown, or
(ii)injustice would be likely to be caused by the delay;
(c)the matter is already the subject of a complaint;
(d)the complaint discloses neither the name and address of the complainant nor that of any other interested person and it is not reasonably practicable to ascertain such a name or address;
(e)the complaint is vexatious, oppressive or otherwise an abuse of the procedures for dealing with complaints;
(f)the complaint is repetitious (for which, see paragraph (4)).
(4) A complaint is repetitious for the purposes of paragraph (3)(f) if, and only if—
(d)as regards the previous complaint or conduct matter, either—
(i)the Commission took the steps required by regulation 26(2) (action in response to an investigation report);
(ii)the complaint was resolved in accordance with the provisions of Part 4 (resolution of other complaints);
(iii)the complainant gave such notification that he withdrew the complaint as is mentioned in regulation 16; or
(iv)the police and crime panel decided to handle the complaint in whatever way it saw fit, in accordance with this regulation.
(5) The police and crime panel shall notify the complainant that it has decided to handle the complaint as permitted by paragraph (2).
Withdrawn and discontinued complaints
16.—(1) If a police and crime panel receives from a complainant notification in writing signed by him or by his solicitor or other authorised agent on his behalf to the effect either—
then the panel shall forthwith record the withdrawal or the fact that the complainant does not wish any further steps to be taken, as the case may be, and subject to the following provisions of this regulation, these Regulations shall cease to apply in respect of that complaint.
(2) Where a complainant gives such notification as is mentioned in paragraph (1) to the Commission but, so far as is apparent to the Commission, has not sent that notification to the police and crime panel, then—
(a)the Commission shall send a copy of that notification to the panel;
(b)that panel shall record the withdrawal or the fact that the complainant does not wish any further steps to be taken, as the case may be; and
(c)subject to the following provisions of this regulation, the provisions of these Regulations shall cease to apply in respect of that complaint.
(3) Where a complainant gives such notification as is mentioned in paragraph (1) to a police and crime panel, or where the panel receives a copy of a notification under paragraph (2), and it relates to a complaint which was referred to the Commission under regulation 13 and which has not been referred back to the panel under regulation 14(2), then the panel shall notify the Commission that it has recorded the withdrawal of the complaint or the fact that the complainant does not wish any further steps to be taken, as the case may be.
(4) Where a complainant gives such notification as is mentioned in paragraph (1) to a police and crime panel, or where the panel receives a copy of a notification under paragraph (2), and that notification relates to a complaint which does not fall within paragraph (3), then the panel shall determine whether the complaint is one made about conduct which constitutes or involves, or appears to constitute or involve, the commission of a criminal offence and should therefore be treated as a conduct matter.
(5) In a case falling within paragraph (3), the Commission shall determine whether it is in the public interest for the complaint to be treated as a conduct matter, and shall notify the police and crime panel of its determination.
(6) Where a determination is made that a complaint is to be treated as a conduct matter, then it shall be recorded by the police and crime panel as a conduct matter and the provisions of these Regulations shall apply to it accordingly.
(7) Where a complainant indicates that he wishes to withdraw the complaint or that he does not wish any further steps to be taken in consequence of the complaint, but he fails to provide a notification to that effect in writing signed by him or on his behalf, then—
(a)in the case of an indication received by the police and crime panel, the panel shall take the steps set out in paragraph (8);
(b)in the case of an indication received by the Commission, the Commission shall refer the matter to the panel which shall take the steps set out in paragraph (8).
(8) Those steps are—
(a)the police and crime panel shall write to the complainant to ascertain whether he wishes to withdraw his complaint or does not wish any further steps to be taken in consequence of the complaint;
(b)if the complainant indicates that he wishes to withdraw his complaint or does not wish any further steps to be taken in consequence of the complaint, or if he fails to reply within 21 days, the panel shall treat the indication as though it had been received in writing signed by the complainant;
(c)if the complainant indicates that he does not wish to withdraw his complaint, or that he does wish further steps to be taken in consequence of the complaint, the panel shall continue to handle the complaint in accordance with these Regulations.
(9) The police and crime panel shall notify the person complained against if—
(b)it determines that a complaint should be treated as a conduct matter;
(c)the Commission determines that a complaint should be treated as a conduct matter; or
(d)the provisions of these Regulations cease to apply in respect of a complaint.
(10) But nothing in paragraph (9) shall require the police and crime panel to make a notification if it has previously decided under regulation 31(3) not to notify the person complained against of the complaint because it is of the opinion that that might prejudice any criminal investigation or pending proceedings or would be contrary to the public interest.
Conduct occurring outside England and Wales
17.—(1) It shall be the duty of a relevant office holder to notify the police and crime panel of any allegation, investigation or proceedings in relation to his conduct which does not amount to a conduct matter for the purposes of these Regulations only by reason of the fact that the conduct in question did not occur in England and Wales.
(2) A police and crime panel receiving a notification under paragraph (1) shall handle the matter in whatever manner (if any) that panel thinks fit.
PART 3Investigation of Serious Complaints and Conduct Matters
Power to determine the form of an investigation
(a)a complaint or conduct matter is referred to the Commission; and
(2) It shall be the duty of the Commission to determine the form which the investigation should take.
(3) In making a determination under paragraph (2) the Commission shall have regard to the following factors—
(a)an investigation by a police force selected by the Commission, under the management of the Commission;
(b)an investigation by the Commission itself.
(5) The Commission may at any time make a further determination under this regulation to replace an earlier one.
(6) Where a determination under this regulation replaces an earlier determination under this regulation the Commission may give the relevant police force such directions as the Commission considers appropriate for the purpose of giving effect to the new determination.
(8) The Commission shall notify the police and crime panel of any determination that it makes under this regulation in relation to a particular complaint or conduct matter.
19.—(1) This regulation applies where the Commission has determined that it should manage the investigation by a selected police force of any complaint or conduct matter.
(2) On being given notice of that determination, the chief officer of police of the selected police force shall, if he has not already done so, appoint a person serving with the police (whether under the direction and control of that chief officer of police or the chief officer of another force) to investigate the complaint or matter.
(3) No person shall be appointed to carry out an investigation under paragraph (2)—
(b)if he is a person whose involvement in the role could reasonably give rise to a concern as to whether he could act impartially under these Regulations.
(4) The Commission may require that no appointment is made under paragraph (2) unless it has given notice to the chief officer of police of the relevant police force that it approves the person whom that chief officer of police proposes to appoint.
(5) Where a person has already been appointed to investigate the complaint or matter, or is selected under this paragraph for appointment, and the Commission is not satisfied with that person, the Commission may require the chief officer of police, as soon as reasonably practicable after being required to do so—
(a)to select another person serving with the police (whether under the direction and control of that chief officer of police or the chief officer of another force) to investigate the complaint or matter; and
(6) Where a selection made in pursuance of a requirement under paragraph (5) has been notified to the Commission, the chief officer of police shall appoint that person to investigate the complaint or matter if, but only if, the Commission notifies the chief officer of police that it approves the appointment of that person.
(7) The person appointed to investigate the complaint or matter shall, in relation to that investigation, be under the direction and control of the Commission.
20.—(1) This regulation applies where the Commission has determined that it should itself carry out the investigation of a complaint or conduct matter.
(2) The Commission shall designate—
(b)such other members of the Commission’s staff as are required by the Commission to assist him.
(3) Paragraph 19(4), (5), (7) and (8) of Schedule 3 to the 2002 Act (powers of constable for Commission staff) shall apply in relation to an investigation under this regulation, with the modification that the reference in paragraph 19(4)(a) to a member of the Commission’s staff designated under paragraph 19(2) shall have effect as a reference to a member of the Commission’s staff designated under paragraph (2) of this regulation.
(4) Any order made under section 19 of, or paragraph 19(6) of Schedule 3 to, the 2002 Act (use of investigatory powers by or on behalf of the Commission; application of provisions of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984(6) to investigations conducted by Commission staff) shall apply in relation to an investigation under this regulation, with the modification that any reference in the order to a member of the Commission’s staff designated under paragraph 19(2) of Schedule 3 to the 2002 Act shall have effect as a reference to a member of the Commission’s staff designated under paragraph (2) of this regulation.
21.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where the Commission is managing or carrying out an investigation it may—
(2) The Commission shall not take any action under paragraph (1) in relation to an investigation managed by the Commission under regulation 19 except after consulting the chief officer of police of the police force carrying out the investigation.
(3) Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the Commission from determining that—
(b)two or more separate investigations which take different forms may be combined into a single investigation.
Suspension and resumption of an investigation
22.—(1) The Commission may suspend any investigation or other procedure under these Regulations which would, if it were to continue, prejudice any criminal proceedings.
(2) Where the whole or part of the investigation of a complaint has been suspended until the conclusion of criminal proceedings, and the complainant has failed to indicate after the conclusion of those proceedings that he wishes the investigation to start or be resumed, the Commission shall take the steps set out in paragraph (3).
(3) The Commission shall take all reasonable steps to contact the complainant to ascertain whether he wants the investigation to start or be resumed, as the case may be.
(4) If the complainant indicates that he does wish the investigation to start or be resumed, the Commission shall start or resume the investigation, as the case may be.
(5) If the complainant indicates that he does not wish the investigation to start or be resumed, or if he fails to reply within 21 days to a letter sent to him by the Commission, the Commission shall determine whether it is in the public interest for the investigation to start or be resumed.
(6) If the Commission determines that it is not in the public interest for the investigation to start or be resumed, the provisions of these Regulations shall cease to apply to the complaint.
(7) If the Commission determines that it is in the public interest for the investigation to start or be resumed, the Commission shall treat the complaint as if it was a conduct matter referred to the Commission by a police and crime panel in accordance with these Regulations.
(8) The Commission shall notify the person complained against if paragraph (6) or (7) applies.
(9) But nothing in paragraph (8) shall require the Commission to make a notification if it is of the opinion that that might prejudice any criminal investigation or pending proceedings or would be contrary to the public interest.
23. Paragraph 20 of Schedule 3 to the 2002 Act shall apply in relation to a matter which is the subject of an investigation under this Part, modified so that it has effect as follows—
“Restrictions on proceedings pending the conclusion of an investigation
20.—(1) No criminal proceedings shall be brought in relation to any matter which is the subject of an investigation in accordance with the provisions of Part 3 of the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2011 (“the 2011 Regulations) until a report on that investigation has been submitted to the Commission under regulation 25 (final reports on investigations).
(2) Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the bringing of criminal proceedings in respect of any conduct at any time after the discontinuance, in accordance with the provisions of Part 3 of the 2011 Regulations, of the investigation which relates to that conduct.
(3) The restrictions imposed by this paragraph in relation to the bringing of criminal proceedings shall not apply to the bringing of criminal proceedings by the Director of Public Prosecutions in any case in which it appears to him that there are exceptional circumstances which make it undesirable to delay the bringing of such proceedings.”.
24.—(1) If at any time it appears to the Commission (whether on an application by a chief officer of police made in accordance with paragraph (3) or otherwise) that a complaint or conduct matter that is being investigated under the management of the Commission is of a description specified in paragraph (2), the Commission may by order require the discontinuance of the investigation.
(2) The descriptions of complaints or matters specified for the purposes of paragraph (1) are any complaint or matter—
(a)in which the complainant refuses to co-operate to the extent that the Commission considers that it is not reasonably practicable to continue the investigation;
(b)which the Commission considers should be handled in accordance with Part 4 (resolution of other complaints);
(c)which the Commission considers is vexatious, oppressive or otherwise an abuse of the procedures for dealing with complaints or conduct matters;
(d)which is repetitious, as defined in regulation 15(4); or
(e)which the Commission otherwise considers is such as to make it not reasonably practicable to proceed with the investigation.
(3) Any application by a chief officer of police to the Commission for an order under paragraph (1) shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by—
(b)a memorandum from the chief officer of police containing a summary of the investigation undertaken so far and explaining the reasons for the application to discontinue the investigation.
(4) The chief officer of police shall—
(5) The Commission shall not require the discontinuance of an investigation in a case where there has been no application to do so by the chief officer of police under paragraph (3) unless it has consulted with that chief officer of police.
(6) The Commission shall not discontinue any investigation that is being carried out by the Commission itself except in a case where the complaint or conduct matter under investigation falls within paragraph (2).
(7) Where the Commission makes an order under paragraph (1) or discontinues an investigation being carried out by the Commission itself, it shall give notification of the discontinuance—
(a)to the police and crime panel; and
(b)to every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to the subject matter of the investigation under regulation 32(3).
(8) Where an investigation of a complaint or conduct matter is discontinued in accordance with this regulation—
(a)the Commission may give the chief officer of police or the police and crime panel directions to do anything specified in paragraph (9);
(b)the Commission may itself take any such steps of a description specified in paragraph (10) as it considers appropriate for purposes connected with the discontinuance of the investigation; and
(c)subject to sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), neither the panel nor the Commission shall take any further action under these Regulations in relation to that complaint or matter.
(9) A direction under paragraph (8)(a) may—
(a)require the chief officer of police to produce an investigation report on the discontinued investigation under regulation 25 (final reports on investigations) and to take any subsequent steps under these Regulations;
(b)where the investigation concerned a complaint, require the police and crime panel to disapply the requirements of these Regulations as regards that complaint;
(c)in a case within paragraph (2)(b), require the police and crime panel to handle the complaint in accordance with Part 4;
(d)direct the police and crime panel to handle the matter in whatever manner (if any) that panel thinks fit.
(10) The steps that may be taken by the Commission under paragraph (8)(b) are—
(a)to produce an investigation report on the discontinued investigation and take any subsequent steps under these Regulations;
(b)where the investigation concerned a complaint, to disapply the requirements of these Regulations as regards that complaint;
(11) A chief officer of police or a police and crime panel shall comply with any directions given to him or to it under paragraph (8)(a).
25.—(1) This regulation applies on the completion of an investigation of a complaint or conduct matter.
(2) A person appointed under regulation 19 (investigations managed by the Commission) shall submit a report on his investigation to the Commission.
(3) A person designated under regulation 20 (investigations by the Commission itself) as the person in charge of an investigation shall submit a report on it to the Commission.
(4) A person submitting a report under this regulation shall not be prevented by any obligation of secrecy imposed by any rule of law or otherwise from including all such matters in his report as he thinks fit.
Action in response to an investigation report
(a)a report on an investigation carried out under the management of the Commission is submitted to it under regulation 25(2); or
(b)a report on an investigation carried out by a person designated by the Commission is submitted to it under regulation 25(3).
(2) On receipt of the report, the Commission—
(a)shall determine whether the conditions set out in paragraphs (3) and (4) are satisfied in respect of the report;
(b)if it determines that those conditions are so satisfied, shall notify the Director of Public Prosecutions of the determination and send him a copy of the report; and
(c)shall notify—
(i)the police and crime panel, and
(ii)every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to the investigation under regulation 32(3),
of its determination under sub-paragraph (a) and of any action taken by it under sub-paragraph (b).
(3) The first condition is that the report indicates that a criminal offence may have been committed by the relevant office holder.
(4) The second condition is that the circumstances are such that, in the opinion of the Commission, it is appropriate for the matters dealt with in the report to be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
(5) The Director of Public Prosecutions shall notify the Commission of any decision of his to take, or not to take, action in respect of the matters dealt with in any report a copy of which has been sent to him under paragraph (2)(b).
(6) It shall be the duty of the Commission to notify—
(a)the police and crime panel, and
(b)every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to the investigation under regulation 32(3)
if criminal proceedings are brought against any person by the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of any matters dealt with in a report copied to him under sub-paragraph (2)(b).
(7) In relation to every report submitted to it under regulation 25, the Commission shall, subject to paragraph (8)—
(a)send a copy of the report to the police and crime panel; and
(8) The Commission may delay the sending or publication of a report, or withhold any part of a report from sending or publication, if the Commission considers that it is necessary to do so for the purposes mentioned in regulation 33(1)(a) or (b).
PART 4Resolution of Other Complaints
27. This Part applies to a complaint which has been recorded by the police and crime panel unless the complaint—
(a)is one which has been, or must be, referred to the Commission under regulation 13, and is not for the time being referred back to the panel under regulation 14(2); or
(b)is one which the panel has decided to handle as permitted by regulation 15(2).
28.—(1) If a complaint to which this Part applies concerns the conduct of—
(a)a police and crime commissioner;
(b)a deputy police and crime commissioner; or
(c)a holder of the office of Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime who is not a member of the London Assembly at the time when the complaint is recorded,
the police and crime panel shall make arrangements for the complaint to be subjected to informal resolution.
(2) The informal resolution of any complaint shall be discontinued if—
(a)the Commission notifies the police and crime panel that it requires the complaint to be referred to the Commission under regulation 13(1)(b); or
(b)the complaint is so referred otherwise than in pursuance of such a notification.
(3) The arrangements made by a police and crime panel for subjecting a complaint to informal resolution may include the appointment of a sub-committee or a single member of the panel, or (subject to paragraph (4)) a person who is not a member of the panel, to secure the informal resolution of the complaint, and any reference to the panel in paragraphs (6) to (14) shall be read as a reference to the sub-committee or person so appointed.
(4) A police and crime panel shall not appoint a relevant office holder to secure the informal resolution of a complaint under paragraph (3).
(5) In a case where a sub-committee or person is appointed under paragraph (3), the arrangements made by the police and crime panel may include arrangements for the complaint to be remitted at any time to the panel as a whole (whether at the request of the appointed sub-committee or person, the complainant or the person complained against, or otherwise) if the panel is of the opinion that this will lead to a more satisfactory resolution of the complaint.
(6) Regulation 4(1) of the 2004 Regulations shall apply in relation to the informal resolution of a complaint, modified so that it has effect as follows—
“(1) The procedures that are to be available for dealing with a complaint which is to be subjected to informal resolution under Part 4 of the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2011 are, subject to the provisions of regulation 28 of those Regulations, any procedures which are approved by the Secretary of State in guidance issued under section 22(5) (as modified by regulation 4 of those Regulations).”.
(7) The procedures approved under regulation 4(1) of the 2004 Regulations (as modified by paragraph (6) of this regulation) shall not include investigation of the complaint, but the exercise by the police and crime panel of its powers to require the person complained against to—
(a)provide the panel with information or documents under section 13(1) or 33(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; or
(b)attend before the panel to answer questions or give evidence under section 29(1) or 33(5)(a) of the 2011 Act
shall not be regarded as investigation for the purposes of this paragraph.
(8) Where it appears to the police and crime panel that the complaint had in fact already been satisfactorily dealt with at the time it was brought to its notice—
(a)the panel may, subject to any representation by the complainant, treat it as having been resolved, and
(b)if the panel does so, paragraphs (9) to (14) shall not apply to it.
(9) The police and crime panel shall as soon as practicable give the complainant and the person complained against an opportunity to comment on the complaint.
(10) Where the person complained against chooses not to comment on the complaint, the police and crime panel shall record this fact in writing.
(11) The police and crime panel shall not, for the purposes of informally resolving a complaint, tender on behalf of the person complained against an apology for his conduct unless the person complained against has admitted the conduct in question and has agreed to the apology.
(12) Where a complaint has been subjected to informal resolution, the police and crime panel shall as soon as practicable make a record of the outcome of the procedure and send a copy of that record to the complainant and the person complained against.
(13) A police and crime panel shall not publish any part of any such record unless the panel—
(a)has given the complainant and the person complained against the opportunity to make representations in relation to the proposed publication; and
(b)having considered any such representations, is of the opinion that publication is in the public interest.
(14) A statement made by any person for the purposes of the informal resolution of any complaint shall not be admissible in any subsequent criminal or civil proceedings except to the extent that it consists of an admission relating to a matter that has not been subjected to informal resolution.
Resolution in accordance with Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000
29.—(1) If a complaint to which this Part applies concerns the conduct of—
(2) On receiving a complaint in accordance with paragraph (1), the monitoring officer shall deal with it in accordance with Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000(7) as if it was a written allegation made under section 57A(1) of that Act.
PART 5Provision and recording of information
Address for receipt of complaints
30.—(1) A police and crime panel shall notify the elected local policing body for the panel’s police area of the name and address of the person to whom complaints should be directed.
(2) The elected local policing body shall publish the information notified to it under paragraph (1) by such means as the police and crime panel shall specify.
31.—(1) Where a complaint is recorded under regulation 9(5), the police and crime panel shall—
(a)supply to the complainant a copy of the record made of the complaint; and
(3) A police and crime panel may decide not to supply a copy of a complaint if it is of the opinion that to do so—
(4) Where a police and crime panel decides not to supply a copy of a complaint, it shall keep that decision under regular review.
Duty to keep complainant and any interested person informed
32.—(1) This regulation applies—
(a)in the case of a complaint which is being or has been investigated in accordance with these Regulations, to—
(i)the complainant; and
(ii)any interested person; and
(b)in the case of a conduct matter which is being or has been investigated in accordance with these Regulations, to any interested person.
(2) For the purposes of these Regulations a person is an interested person in relation to a complaint or conduct matter if—
(a)the Commission considers that he has an interest in the handling of the complaint or conduct matter which is sufficient to make it appropriate for information to be provided to him in accordance with this regulation, and
(b)he has indicated that he consents to the provision of information to him in accordance with this regulation.
(3) It shall be the duty of the Commission to provide a person to whom this regulation applies with all such information as will keep him properly informed, while the investigation is being carried out and subsequently, of all the matters mentioned in paragraph (4), and the Commission shall perform this duty in accordance with paragraphs (5) to (10).
(4) The matters of which a person to whom this regulation applies must be kept properly informed are—
(c)whether any report has been submitted under regulation 25 (final reports on investigations).
(5) The Commission shall notify a person to whom this regulation applies of—
(a)the progress of the investigation promptly and in any event—
(b)any provisional findings of the person carrying out the investigation as frequently as the Commission determines to be appropriate in order for the person to be kept properly informed.
(6) When an investigation has been completed, each person to whom this regulation applies shall be notified—
(a)of the date on which the report under regulation 25 is likely to be submitted;
(b)of the date on which the notification under regulation 26(2)(c) (action in response to an investigation report) is likely to be given.
(7) In performing the duties imposed by paragraph (3) and by regulation 26(2)(c), the Commission shall determine whether it is appropriate to offer, or to accede to a request for, a meeting with a person to whom this regulation applies.
(8) As soon as practicable after any such meeting the Commission shall send to the person concerned a written record of the meeting and an account of how any concerns of that person will be addressed.
(9) If the Commission considers that an investigation has made minimal or no progress since the previous notification, then the next notification may be made by any means that in the opinion of the Commission is suitable.
(10) Any notification under this regulation shall be given in writing, except in a case where the Commission gives the notification at a meeting held in consequence of a determination under paragraph (7), or where the Commission gives the notification by means other than writing in accordance with paragraph (9).
Exceptions to the duty to keep the complainant and any interested person informed
33.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the duties mentioned in regulations 26(2)(c) and 32(3) shall not apply in circumstances where in the opinion of the Commission the non-disclosure of information is necessary for the purpose of—
(2) The Commission shall not conclude that the non-disclosure of information is necessary under paragraph (1) unless it is satisfied that—
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider whether the non-disclosure of information is justified under that paragraph in circumstances where—
(a)the disclosure of that information may prejudice the welfare or safety of any third party;
(b)the information constitutes criminal intelligence.
Keeping of records by police and crime panels
34. Every police and crime panel shall keep records, in such form as the Commission shall determine, of—
(a)every complaint and purported complaint that is made to it;
(b)every conduct matter recorded by it under regulation 11 or 12;
(c)every exercise of a power or performance of a duty under these Regulations.
35.—(1) It shall be the duty of every police and crime panel, every relevant office holder and every chief officer of police—
(a)to provide the Commission with all such information and documents specified or described in a notification given by the Commission to that panel, office holder or chief officer, and
(b)any subsequent notification given by the Commission to that person for the purposes of this paragraph.
(3) Nothing in this regulation shall require a person—
(a)to provide the Commission with any information or document, or to produce or deliver up any other thing, before the earliest time at which it is practicable for the person to do so; or
(b)to provide, produce or deliver up anything in a case in which it never becomes practicable for the person to do so.
(4) A requirement imposed by any notification under this regulation may authorise or require information or documents to which it relates to be provided to the Commission electronically.
Access to premises on behalf of the Commission
(i)a police and crime panel,
(ii)a relevant office holder, or
(iii)a chief officer of police
to allow a person nominated for the purpose by the Commission to have access to any premises occupied for the purposes of the functions of that panel, office holder or chief officer and to documents and other things on those premises, and
it shall be the duty of the panel, the office holder or, as the case may be, the chief officer to secure that the required access is allowed to the nominated person.
(a)the purposes of any examination by the Commission of the efficiency and effectiveness of the arrangements made in accordance with these Regulations for handling complaints or dealing with conduct matters;
(b)the purposes of any investigation carried out by the Commission or under its management in accordance with these Regulations.
(3) A requirement imposed under this regulation for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) must be notified to the police and crime panel, relevant office holder or chief officer of police at least 48 hours before the time at which access is required.
(i)a person designated for the purposes of regulation 20 (investigations by the Commission itself), or
(b)the obligations on police and crime panels, relevant office holders and chief officers of police under regulation 6 (general duties of police and crime panels, relevant office holders and chief officers of police) and 35 (provision of information to the Commission).
37. Regulation 27 of the 2004 Regulations shall apply in relation to notifications to be given under these Regulations, modified so that it has effect as follows—
“Manner and time limits of notifications
27.—(1) Any notification to be given under the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2011 shall, unless otherwise specified in those Regulations, be given in writing.
(2) No time limit mentioned in those Regulations shall apply in any case where exceptional circumstances prevent that time limit being complied with.”.
38.—(1) The Commission shall establish and maintain a register of all information supplied to it by a police and crime panel or relevant office holder under these Regulations.
(a)improving the handling of complaints and conduct matters, or demonstrating the thoroughness and effectiveness of investigations by or under the management of the Commission;
(b)raising public awareness of the system by which complaints and conduct matters are handled; or
(c)improving that system.
(3) Information may not be published or disclosed in circumstances where in the opinion of the Commission the non-disclosure of information is necessary for the purposes mentioned in regulation 33(1)(a) and (b).
These Regulations set out the functions of police and crime panels and the Independent Police Complaints Commission in relation to the handling of complaints and other matters concerning the conduct of police and crime commissioners, deputy police and crime commissioners, the holder of Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (referred to collectively as relevant office holders). The Regulations set out the process to be followed in dealing with these complaints and matters.
In accordance with Schedule 7 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the Regulations provide for complaints alleging criminal conduct, and all conduct matters (those matters which indicate that criminal conduct may have occurred), to be referred to the Commission and investigated either by the Commission itself or by a police force under the management of the Commission. The Regulations provide for any other complaint to be resolved informally by the police and crime panel, except in the case of complaints against the holder of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, or the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime if he is a member of the London Assembly. The Regulations provide for these latter categories of complaints to be passed to the monitoring officer of the Greater London Authority, who is responsible for dealing with other complaints about the conduct of the Mayor and Assembly members.
These Regulations are closely based on Part 2 of the Police Reform Act 2002 and the Regulations made under it, which make provision for powers, duties and procedures in relation to the handling of complaints against persons serving with the police. In some instances these Regulations apply provisions of Part 2 or the secondary legislation made under it, with or without modifications.
S.I. 2004/643, as amended by S.I. 2005/3389, S.I. 2006/1406 and S.I. 2008/2866.
1996 c. 16. Schedule 1 is amended by section 129(a) of the Police Act 1997 (c. 50) and by S.I. 1997/1377, S.I. 1997/1844, S.I. 1997/1845, S.I. 1997/1846, S.I. 1997/1847, S.I. 1987/1849, S.I. 1987/1850, S.I. 1997/1855, S.I. 1987/1857 and S.I. 2009/119.
1999 c. 29. Section 73(1) was substituted by section 9 of the Greater London Authority Act 2007 (c. 24).
2000 c. 22. Section 57A was inserted by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28).