Police complaints and discipline
Part 2 of the 2002 Act deals with complaints against the police and related matters. Amongst other things, Part 2 establishes the IPCC (section 9) and sets out its general functions (section 10). Schedule 3 to the 2002 Act makes detailed provision for the handling of complaints, conduct matters (that is a matter that has not been the subject of a complaint but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings), and DSI matters and for the carrying out of investigations into complaints, recordable conduct matters, and death and serious injury matters.
	Section 50 of the 1996 Act confers on the Home Secretary the power to make regulations as to the governance, administration and conditions of service of police forces. In particular, regulations made under this section may make provision in respect of police discipline. Section 51 of the 1996 Act makes similar provision in respect of special constables. Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the 1996 Act makes further provision about disciplinary proceedings. In particular, section 84 enables the Home Secretary to make regulations about representation at disciplinary proceedings. The principal regulations made under these sections are the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/2632). These apply where an allegation comes to the attention of the police force (or the PCC where the allegation relates to a chief constable) which indicates that the conduct of a police officer may amount to misconduct or gross misconduct. The regulations set out the procedure for dealing with such allegations, including provisions on investigations and misconduct proceedings.
	Section 85 of, and Schedule 6 to, the 1996 Act make provision regarding appeals to a police appeals tribunal against dismissal. The Police Appeals Tribunals Rules 2012 (SI 2012/2630) govern the procedure for such appeals.