THE Home Secretary has announced a review of the entire police disciplinary system.<\/p>\n
Theresa May said the review would be chaired by former Army officer Major General Clive Chapman \u2013 and there would be a consultation on the findings later in the year. She said the shakeup of the police complaints system, including proposals to hold disciplinary hearings in public, would help make the system clearer, more independent and \u201cpublic-focused\u201d.<\/p>\n
It will include an examination of the powers and funding of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).<\/p>\n
Addressing the disciplinary system issues, Mrs May said that the current process \u201clacks transparency, is bureaucratic and lacks independence\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe review will look at the complaints system from end-to-end, examining the process every step of the way for all complainants, from the minor to the most serious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs May told MPs: \u201cTogether these measures represent a substantial overhaul of the systems that hold police officers to account. They will build on our radical programme of police reform. And they will help ensure that police honesty and integrity are protected, and corruption and misconduct rooted out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Detailing the reform package the Home Secretary told MPs that she believed the \u201cvast majority of police officers in this country do their job honestly and with integrity\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mrs May also announced new proposals to protect police whistleblowers including introducing \u201csealed investigations\u201d, which prevent both force and suspects from knowing they are under investigation.<\/p>\n
She also said there will be annual inspections of forces to include a measure of \u201clegitimacy of each force in the eyes of the public\u201d as well as its effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Mrs May also announced a review of police leadership \u2013 which will start immediately.<\/p>\n
She added that the review of police leadership would be carried out by the College of Policing and would examine issues including opening up direct entry and \u201chow we can open up senior ranks to candidates of different backgrounds\u201d.<\/p>\n
Responding to the Home Secretary\u2019s announcement, Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: \u201cIt is yet more upheaval. In 2008 we had Taylor inquiry to settle it all [police discipline\/conduct] and have more learning the lessons rather than blame culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe media publicise all the bad apples – that\u2019s happened throughout my service. If you have got a bent cop, get rid of them. There is no two ways about it. But the minor discipline infractions just need to be dealt with at the lowest level possible, learn the lessons and move on, and not tie officers down for years investigating it or being under the umbrella of an investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve White, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: \u201cThe statement by the Home Secretary expands upon a number of areas previously raised, including police misconduct, disciplinary procedures, whistleblowing, direct entry, police integrity and the police complaints system.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolicing is a highly complex and volatile profession and it is important that the views of police officers are heard and that any change does not result in them being treated less favourably than other workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Police Federation will therefore play a full and active part in the consultation process as the voice of police officers across England and Wales, seeking to ensure that change does not result in a negative or detrimental impact on the service the public receive.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n