Police complaints and discipline Whistle-blowing
One of the ways in which police misconduct, malpractice and corruption is brought to light is when police officers or staff report it themselves. However these reports are not always made. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of the reasons for this may be because it is not believed that anything will be done, the reporting routes available are not trusted, or they fear an adverse reaction from the police force.
	Following a Government consultation, Improving Police Integrity: Reforming the Police Complaints and Disciplinary Systems, which ended in January 2015, the Government made changes to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 to clarify that police whistle-blowers are protected from unfair disciplinary action and reprisals against them will not be tolerated. These changes ensure that the principles set out in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 are incorporated in the police disciplinary process.
	In its response14 to the consultation document Improving Police Integrity, the Government also announced its intention to introduce a number of additional measures to strengthen protections for police whistle-blowers in order to give police whistle-blowers greater confidence to report their concerns. In March 2016, the College of Policing published national whistle-blowing guidance entitled Reporting Concerns. The guidance sets out the support that should be provided, including providing feedback and updates to police whistle-blowers, giving them the right to be consulted by the force (or IPCC) and outlining the reporting routes available.