Regulated framework
Police officers, as holders of the office of constable in a police force, have certain protections in terms of their employment status, their discipline and how they can be dismissed from the force. As a result of this status, the police disciplinary system is regulated and set out in secondary legislation. The Home Office is responsible for the maintenance of the system and produces guidance which explains the extent and procedures related to the regulated discipline, performance and attendance systems for police1. Police staff who do not hold the office of constable are not included in the regulated police discipline system and are instead governed by local policy set within each police force.
The process for misconduct proceedings is set out in the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/2632), which applies to all police officers and special constables. These regulations set out the process and steps that must be followed where an allegation comes to the attention of the Appropriate Authority which indicates that the conduct of a police officer may amount to misconduct or gross misconduct. This includes an allegation contained within a complaint or conduct matter referred to the IPCC in accordance with the 2002 Act.