The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct etc. ) Regulations 2015

• Citation: S.I. 2015/25
• Sections: 139

Section 1 Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct etc. ) Regulations 2015 and shall come into force on 23rd February 2015.

Section 2 Revocation and transitional provisions

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the 2009 Regulations are revoked.

(2) Where any steps have been taken under the 2009 Regulations before 23rd February 2015 in relation to an allegation in respect of conduct of an MDP officer, nothing in Parts 1 to 7 of these Regulations applies in relation to that allegation and the 2009 Regulations continue to have effect.

(3) The amendments in Schedule 2 to these Regulations (amendments of the Appeal Regulations ) do not apply to an appeal against a decision made under the 2009 Regulations .

(4) The amendments in Schedule 3 to these Regulations (amendments of the Performance Regulations ) do not apply in any case where any steps have been taken in relation to unsatisfactory performance or attendance by a police officer before 23rd February 2015.

Section 3 Interpretation

(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1987 Act” means the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987;

“the 1998 Act” means the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 ;

“the 2002 Act” means the Police Reform Act 2002 ;

“the 2009 Regulations” means the Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct) Regulations 2009 ;

...

“allegation” means an allegation relating to a complaint or conduct matter;

...

“appeal hearing” means an appeal to the police appeals tribunal in accordance with the Ministry of Defence Police Appeals Tribunals Regulations 2009 ;

“appeal meeting” means a meeting held in accordance with regulation 43 following a misconduct meeting;

“the assessment date” means—

if Part 3 applies to the case, the date of the assessment of the conduct of the officer concerned under regulation 16(1); or

if the case has been investigated under external procedures, the date that the case was referred for such investigation;

...

“the Commissioner” means the officer known as the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, established under section 33 of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006;

“chief constable” means the chief constable of the MDP;

“complainant” means a person who makes a complaint, or on behalf of whom a complaint is made, where that complaint is being or has been investigated under external procedures;

“complaint” means an expression of dissatisfaction about the conduct of an MDP officer;

“conduct matter” has the meaning given to it by regulation 5;

“ Convention rights ” has the meaning given to it in section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998;

“criminal proceedings” means—

any prospective criminal proceedings;

all criminal proceedings brought which have not been brought to a conclusion (apart from the bringing and determinations of any appeal other than an appeal against conviction);

“Director General” means the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct;

“disciplinary action” has the meaning given to it by regulation 6;

“disciplinary proceedings” means any proceedings under these Regulations ...;

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded and includes any recording of a visual image ...;

“external procedures” means—

procedures established with the Director General in accordance with an agreement made under section 26(1) of the 2002 Act ; or

procedures established with the Ombudsman in accordance with an agreement made under section 60(1) of the 1998 Act; ...

...

“gross misconduct” means a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour so serious that dismissal would be justified;

“the harm test” has the meaning given to it by regulation 4;

“the Inspector of Constabulary” means;

in relation to England and Wales and Northern Ireland, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary appointed under section 54(1) of the Police Act 1996 (appointment and functions of inspectors of constabulary) or an inspector of constabulary nominated by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary; and

in relation to Scotland, one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary appointed under section 71 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (inspectors of constabulary);

“informant” means a person who provides information to an investigation on the basis that the person’s identity is not disclosed during the course of the disciplinary proceedings;

“interested party” means a person whose appointment could reasonably give rise to a concern as to whether that person could act impartially under these Regulations;

“interested person” means any person who the Director General or a relevant authority consider to have an interest in being kept informed about the handling of a complaint under external procedures, where that person has given consent to being kept so informed;

“investigator” means a person—

appointed under regulation 17; or

appointed as an investigator under external procedures;

“management action” means action intended to improve the conduct of the officer concerned;

“management advice” means disciplinary action imposed following misconduct proceedings or an appeal meeting;

“MDP” means Ministry of Defence Police;

“MDP officer” means a member of the MDP;

“MOD Police Committee” means the committee appointed by the Secretary of State under section 1(5) of the 1987 Act ;

“misconduct” means a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, but which does not amount to gross misconduct;

“misconduct hearing” means a hearing to which the officer concerned is referred under regulation 23 and at which the officer may be dealt with by disciplinary action up to and including dismissal;

“misconduct meeting” means a meeting to which the officer concerned is referred under regulation 23 and at which the officer may be dealt with by disciplinary action up to and including a final written warning;

“misconduct proceedings” means a misconduct meeting or misconduct hearing;

“the officer concerned” means the person in relation to whose conduct as an MDP officer there has been an allegation ;

“the Ombudsman” means the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland established under section 51 of the 1998 Act;

“the Performance Regulations” means the Ministry of Defence Police (Performance) Regulations 2012 ;

“police friend” means a person chosen by the officer concerned in accordance with regulation 10;

“proposed witness” means a witness whose attendance at the misconduct proceedings the officer concerned or the relevant authority wishes to request of the person conducting or chairing those proceedings;

“relevant authority” has the meaning given in section 4(4) of the 1987 Act;

“relevant force” has the meaning given in section 2B(3) of the 1987 Act;

“relevant lawyer” has the meaning given in section 4(4) of the 1987 Act;

“special case hearing” means a hearing to which the officer concerned is referred under regulation 45 after the case has been certified as a special case;

“special case proceedings” means the referral of a case to a special case hearing and any proceedings at or in connection with such a referral;

“the special conditions” has the meaning given to it by regulation 22(4);

“staff association” means—

in relation to an MDP officer other than a senior officer, the Defence Police Federation; and

in relation to a senior officer, the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association;

“staff member” means any person other than an MDP officer who is employed by the Secretary of State for Defence;

“Standards of Professional Behaviour” means the standards of professional behaviour contained in Schedule 1;

“working day” means any day other than—

a Saturday or Sunday;

a day which is a bank holiday in accordance with section 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland; or

a day which is a public holiday in England, Wales, Scotland or in Northern Ireland.

(2) In these Regulations a reference to a copy of a statement shall, where the statement was not made in writing, be construed as a reference to a copy of an account of that statement.

(3) For the purposes of these Regulations, the making by an MDP officer of a protected disclosure is not a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, and for this purpose “protected disclosure” has the meaning given by section 43A of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Section 4 The harm test

(1) Information in documents which is stated to be subject to the harm test may not be supplied to the officer concerned in so far as the relevant authority considers that preventing disclosure is—

(a) necessary for the purpose of preventing the premature or inappropriate disclosure of information that is relevant to, or may be used in, any criminal proceedings;

(b) necessary in the interests of national security;

(c) necessary for the purpose of the prevention or detection of crime, or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders;

(d) necessary for the purpose of the prevention or detection of misconduct by—

(i) other MDP officers;

(ii) persons under the direction and control of the chief constable;

(iii) persons under the direction and control of a chief officer of a relevant force,

or their apprehension for such matters;

(e) justified on the grounds that providing the information would involve disproportionate effort in comparison to the seriousness of the allegations against the officer concerned;

(f) necessary and proportionate for the protection of the welfare and safety of any informant or witness; or

(g) otherwise in the public interest.

(2) Where the harm test is satisfied in relation to any information, the relevant authority—

(a) may not supply that information to the officer concerned; and

(b) must inform the person conducting or chairing disciplinary proceedings that the harm test is satisfied in relation to that information.

Section 5 Conduct matters

(1) A conduct matter is any matter which is not and has not been the subject of a complaint but in the case of which there is an indication that an MDP officer may have—

(a) committed a criminal offence; or

(b) behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings;

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In this regulation, “conduct” includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred).

Section 6 Disciplinary action

Disciplinary action means, in order of seriousness starting with the least serious action—

(a) management advice;

(b) a written warning;

(c) a final written warning;

(d) an extension to a final written warning;

(e) dismissal with notice; or

(f) dismissal without notice.

Section 7 Written warnings

(1) For the purposes of these Regulations—

(a) a written warning remains in force for a period of 12 months beginning on the day after it was given; and

(b) subject to regulations 39(7)(b) and 59(3)(b), a final written warning remains in force for a period of 18 months beginning on the on the day after it was given.

(2) The reference to the period of—

(a) 12 months in paragraph (1)(a), and

(b) 18 months in paragraph (1)(b) and regulations 39(8) and 59(4),

does not include any time when the officer concerned is taking extended special unpaid leave .

(3) In paragraph (2), “extended special unpaid leave” means a period of more than 3 months’ unpaid leave which the Secretary of State has agreed may be taken by the officer concerned.

Section 8 Delegation

(1) The relevant authority may delegate any of its functions under these Regulations—

(a) subject to paragraph (2), where it is the chief constable, to an MDP officer of at least the rank of chief inspector; or

(b) where it is the MOD Police Committee, to a sub-committee of no fewer than three persons appointed by the MOD Police Committee.

(2) Where a function under regulation 14 or 45 has been delegated under paragraph (1)(a), any decision taken under those regulations shall be authorised by a senior officer.

Section 9 Application

(1) These Regulations apply where an allegation comes to the attention of a relevant authority which indicates that the conduct of an MDP officer ... may amount to misconduct or gross misconduct.

(2) Except as set out in paragraph (6), these Regulations also apply, with the modifications set out in Schedule 1A, where—

(a) an allegation comes to the attention of a relevant person, or came to the attention of such a person before 1st December 2018 but after 22nd February 2015, which indicates that the conduct of a person who at the time of the alleged conduct was an MDP officer (“P”) may amount to gross misconduct; and

(b) Condition A, B or C is satisfied.

(3) Condition A is that P ceased to be an MDP officer after the allegation first came to the attention of a relevant person.

(4) Condition B is that—

(a) P ceased to be an MDP officer before the allegation first came to the attention of a relevant person; and

(b) the period between the date P ceased to be an MDP officer and the date the allegation first came to the attention of the relevant person did not exceed 12 months.

(5) Condition C is that—

(a) P ceased to be an MDP officer before the allegation first came to the attention of a relevant person;

(b) the period between the date P ceased to be an MDP officer and the date the allegation first came to the attention of the relevant person exceeded 12 months; and

(c) the case to which the allegation relates has been investigated under—

(i) external procedures; or

(ii) procedures—

(aa) established with the Commissioner in accordance with an agreement under article 4 of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2007;

(bb) established with the Commissioner in accordance with an agreement under article 3(5) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013; or

(cc) which apply where the Commissioner has been directed to investigate by an appropriate prosecutor, and for this purpose “appropriate prosecutor” has the meaning given by section 47 of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2006.

(6) Paragraph (2) does not apply in relation to a person who ceased to be an MDP officer before 1st December 2018.

(7) Where a relevant authority is considering more than one allegation in relation to the same MDP officer or person in relation to whose alleged conduct these Regulations apply by virtue of paragraph (2) , the allegations may be taken together and treated as a single allegation for the purpose of any provision of these Regulations which requires a person to make an assessment, finding, determination or decision in connection with conduct which is the subject matter of an allegation.

(8) In this regulation, “relevant person” means—

(a) a relevant authority;

(b) the Director General;

(c) the Ombudsman; or

(d) the Commissioner.

Section 10 Police friend and legal representation

(1) The officer concerned may choose—

(a) an MDP officer;

(b) an officer from a relevant force ;

(c) a staff member; or

(d) a person nominated by a staff association,

who is not otherwise involved in the matter, to act as their police friend.

(2) A police friend may—

(a) advise the officer concerned throughout the proceedings;

(b) unless the officer concerned has the right to be legally represented and chooses to be so represented, represent the officer concerned at the misconduct proceedings or special case hearing or appeal meeting;

(c) make representations to the relevant authority concerning any aspect of the proceedings; and

(d) accompany, and take notes for the officer concerned at any interview, meeting or hearing which forms part of any proceedings.

(3) Where a police friend is an MDP officer or a staff member, that person may use a reasonable amount of duty time for the purposes referred to in paragraph (2).

(4) The officer concerned has the right to be legally represented, by a relevant lawyer of the officer’s choice, at a misconduct hearing or a special case hearing.

(5) If the officer concerned chooses not to be legally represented at such a hearing the officer may be dismissed or receive any other outcome under regulation 39 or 59 without being represented.

Section 11 Legal and other representation for the relevant authority

(1) The relevant authority may be represented at disciplinary proceedings by—

(a) an MDP officer; or

(b) at a misconduct hearing or a special case hearing only, a relevant lawyer (whether or not the officer concerned chooses to be legally represented).

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the relevant authority may appoint a person to advise the person or persons conducting the disciplinary proceedings .

(3) At a misconduct meeting or an appeal meeting, the person appointed under paragraph (2) shall not be a relevant lawyer.

Section 12 Provision of notices or documents

(1) Where any written notice or document is to be given or supplied to the officer concerned, it shall be—

(a) given to the officer concerned in person;

(b) left with any person at, or sent by recorded delivery to, the officer’s last known address; or

(c) in respect of a written notice under regulation 19(1), given to the officer concerned in person by that officer’s police friend where the police friend has agreed with the relevant authority to deliver the notice.

(2) Where any written notice or document is given or supplied under paragraph (1), delivery is effective on the date on which—

(a) it is given to the officer concerned, under paragraph (1)(a) or (c);

(b) it is left with any person at the officer’s last known address, under paragraph (1)(b);

(c) receipt was recorded, if sent by recorded delivery to the officer’s last known address under paragraph (1)(b).

Section 13 Outstanding or possible criminal proceedings

(1) Subject to this regulation, proceedings under these Regulations must proceed without delay.

(2) Before referring a case to misconduct proceedings or a special case hearing, the relevant authority must decide whether misconduct proceedings or special case proceedings would prejudice any criminal proceedings.

(3) For any period during which the relevant authority considers any misconduct proceedings or special case proceedings would prejudice any such criminal proceedings—

(a) no such misconduct or special case proceedings may take place; but

(b) the relevant authority must preserve any relevant evidence in its possession.

(4) Where a witness who is or may be a witness in any criminal proceedings is to be or may be asked to attend misconduct proceedings, the relevant authority must consult the relevant prosecutor (and when doing so must inform the prosecutor of the names and addresses of all such witnesses) before making its decision under paragraph (2).

(5) In this regulation “relevant prosecutor” means—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, the Director of Public Prosecutions or any other person who has or is likely to have responsibility for the criminal proceedings;

(b) in relation to Scotland, the Lord Advocate or any other person who has or is likely to have responsibility for the criminal proceedings; or

(c) in relation to Northern Ireland, the Director of Public Prosecutions or any other person who has or is likely to have responsibility for the criminal proceedings.

Section 14 Suspension

(1) The relevant authority may suspend the officer concerned from membership of the MDP if the following conditions (“the suspension conditions”) are satisfied—

(a) having considered temporary redeployment to alternative duties or to an alternative location as an alternative to suspension, the relevant authority has determined that such deployment is not appropriate in all the circumstances of the case; and

(b) it appears to the relevant authority that either—

(i) the effective investigation of the case may be prejudiced unless the officer concerned is suspended; or

(ii) having regard to the nature of the allegation and any other relevant considerations, the public interest requires that the officer should be suspended.

(2) An officer who is suspended under this regulation remains an MDP officer for the purposes of these Regulations.

(3) The relevant authority may suspend the officer concerned at any time from the date on which these Regulations first apply to the officer concerned (regulation 9) until—

(a) the relevant authority decides that the conduct of the officer concerned shall not be referred to misconduct proceedings or a special case hearing; or

(b) such proceedings have concluded.

(4) A suspension takes effect from the date and time of notification to the officer concerned, which must be given either—

(a) in writing with a summary of the reasons; or

(b) orally, in which case the relevant authority must confirm the suspension in writing with a summary of the reasons before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the suspension.

(5) The officer concerned (or the officer’s police friend) may make representations against the suspension to the relevant authority—

(a) before the end of 7 working days beginning with the first working day after the suspension takes effect;

(b) at any time during the suspension if the officer reasonably believes that circumstances relevant to the suspension conditions have changed.

(6) The relevant authority must review the suspension conditions—

(a) on receipt of any representations under paragraph (5);

(b) on being notified that circumstances relevant to the suspension conditions may have changed (whether by means of representations made under paragraph (5) or otherwise);

(c) if there has been no previous review, before the end of 4 weeks beginning with the first working day after the suspension; and

(d) if there has been no review in the intervening period, before the end of 4 weeks beginning with the day after the previous review.

(7) Following any review under paragraph (6), the relevant authority must—

(a) decide whether the suspension conditions remain satisfied and whether the suspension should continue;

(b) before the end of 3 working days beginning with the day after the review, notify the officer concerned in writing of the decision made and a summary of the reasons.

(8) An officer who is suspended remains so suspended until the earlier of the following—

(a) the suspension conditions are no longer satisfied;

(b) the events mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) or (subject to paragraph (10)) (3)(b).

(9) Where an officer who is suspended is dismissed with notice under regulation 39(3)(b)(iv) the officer remains suspended until the end of the notice period.

(10) In a case which will be investigated under external procedures, the relevant authority must consult with the Director General or the Ombudsman (as the case may be)—

(a) in deciding whether or not to suspend the officer concerned; and

(b) before a suspension under this regulation is brought to an end by virtue of paragraph (7)(a).

Section 15 Application of this Part

This Part does not apply to a case which is being or has been investigated under external procedures.

Section 16 Assessment of conduct

(1) The relevant authority must assess whether the conduct of the officer concerned which is the subject matter of the allegation, if proved, would amount to misconduct or gross misconduct or neither.

(2) Where the relevant authority assesses that the conduct, if proved, would amount to neither misconduct nor gross misconduct, it may—

(a) take no action;

(b) take management action against the officer concerned; or

(c) refer the matter to be dealt with under the Performance Regulations .

(3) Where the relevant authority assesses that the conduct, if proved, would amount to misconduct, it must determine whether or not it is necessary for the matter to be investigated and—

(a) if so, the matter must be investigated and the relevant authority shall further assess whether, if the matter were to be referred to misconduct proceedings, those would be likely to be a misconduct meeting or a misconduct hearing;

(b) if not, the relevant authority may—

(i) take no action; or

(ii) take management action against the officer concerned.

(4) Where the relevant authority assesses that the conduct, if proved, would amount to gross misconduct, the matter must be investigated.

(5) At any time before the start of any misconduct proceedings, the relevant authority may revise its assessment of the conduct under paragraph (1) if it considers it appropriate to do so.

(6) Where the relevant authority decides to take no action, take management action or to refer the matter to be dealt with under the Performance Regulations , it must notify the officer concerned in writing of that decision as soon as practicable.

Section 17 Appointment of investigator

(1) This regulation applies where a matter is to be investigated in accordance with regulation 16.

(2) The relevant authority must appoint a person to investigate the matter.

(3) If the officer concerned is the chief constable, the relevant authority must notify the Secretary of State.

(4) No person shall be appointed to investigate the matter who—

(a) does not have an appropriate level of knowledge, skills and experience to plan and manage the investigation;

(b) is an interested party;

(c) works, directly or indirectly, under the management of the officer concerned;

(d) in a case where the officer concerned is a senior officer, is—

(i) the chief constable;

(ii) another MDP officer.

Section 18 Investigation

The purpose of an investigation under this Part is to—

(a) gather evidence to establish the facts and circumstances of the alleged misconduct or gross misconduct; and

(b) assist the relevant authority to establish whether there is a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or whether there is no case to answer.

Section 19 Written notice of investigation

(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the investigator shall as soon as is reasonably practicable after being appointed cause the officer concerned to be given written notice—

(a) describing the conduct that is the subject matter of the allegation and how that conduct is alleged to fall below the Standards of Professional Behaviour;

(b) of the relevant authority’s assessment of—

(i) whether that conduct, if proved, would amount to misconduct or gross misconduct; and

(ii) whether, if the matter were to be referred to misconduct proceedings, these would be likely to be a misconduct meeting or a misconduct hearing and the reason for this;

(c) that if the likely form of any misconduct proceedings to be held changes, further notice (with reasons) will be given;

(d) that there is to be an investigation into the matter and the identity of the investigator;

(e) informing the officer of the right to seek advice from the officer’s staff association or any other body and of the effect of regulation 10(1) to (3) (police friend);

(f) of the effect of regulations 10(4) and (5) (legal representation) and 20 (representations to the investigator);

(g) informing the officer that, although the officer does not have to say anything, adverse inferences may be drawn in the circumstances described in regulation 37(10) and (11).

(2) If after notice is given under paragraph (1), the relevant authority revises its assessment of the conduct or its determination of the likely form of any misconduct proceedings to be taken, the relevant authority must, as soon as practicable, give the officer concerned further written notice of—

(a) its revised assessment of whether the conduct, if proved, would amount to misconduct or gross misconduct and the reason for that assessment;

(b) its revised determination as to whether, if the case were to be referred to misconduct proceedings, these would be likely to be a misconduct meeting or a misconduct hearing and the reason for this.

(3) The requirement to give notice to the officer concerned under paragraph (1) does not apply for so long as the investigator considers that giving such a notice might prejudice the investigation or any other investigation (including, in particular, a criminal investigation).

(4) Once notice has been given under paragraph (1), the investigator must notify the officer concerned of the progress of the investigation—

(a) if there has been no previous notification following the giving of notice under paragraph (1), before the end of 4 weeks beginning with the first working day after the start of the investigation; and

(b) in any other case, before the end of 4 weeks beginning with the first working day after the previous notification.

Section 20 Representations to the investigator

(1) Before the end of 10 working days starting with the first working day after the notice is given under regulation 19(1) (unless this period is extended by the investigator)—

(a) the officer concerned may provide a written or oral statement relating to any matter under investigation to the investigator; and

(b) the officer concerned or the police friend may provide any relevant documents or other evidence to the investigator.

(2) The investigator must—

(a) as part of the investigation, consider any such statement, document or other evidence; and

(b) make a record of having received it.

(3) In this regulation “relevant document”—

(a) means a document relating to any matter under investigation; and

(b) includes such a document containing suggestions as to lines of inquiry to be pursued or witnesses to be interviewed.

Section 21 Interviews during investigation

(1) Where an investigator wishes to interview the officer concerned as part of the investigation, the investigator must, if reasonably practicable, agree a date and time for the interview with the officer concerned.

(2) Where no date and time can be agreed under paragraph (1), the investigator may specify a date and time for the interview.

(3) Where a date and time is specified under paragraph (2) and—

(a) the officer concerned or the police friend will not be available at that date and time; and

(b) the officer concerned proposes an alternative date and time which satisfies paragraph (4),

the interview must be postponed to the time proposed by the officer concerned.

(4) An alternative time must—

(a) be reasonable; and

(b) fall before the end of the period of 5 working days beginning with the first working day after the day specified by the investigator.

(5) The investigator must give the officer concerned written notice of the date, time and place of the interview.

(6) The investigator must, in advance of the interview, provide the officer concerned with such information as the investigator considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case to enable the officer concerned to prepare for the interview.

(7) A police friend may not answer any questions asked of the officer concerned during the interview.

Section 22 Report of investigation

(1) On completion of an investigation the investigator must as soon as practicable submit a written report on the investigation to the relevant authority.

(2) The written report must—

(a) provide a summary of the evidence;

(b) attach or refer to any relevant documents; and

(c) indicate the investigator’s opinion as to whether there is a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or whether there is no case to answer.

(3) If at any time during the investigation the investigator believes that the relevant authority would, on consideration of the matter, be likely to determine that the special conditions are satisfied, the investigator must either—

(a) if the investigation is not yet complete, submit to the relevant authority—

(i) a statement of the belief and the grounds for it; and

(ii) a written report on the investigation to that point; or

(b) if the investigation is complete, include in the written report required by paragraph (2) a statement of the belief and the grounds for it.

(4) In this regulation, “the special conditions” means—

(a) there is sufficient evidence, in the form of written statements or other documents, without the need for further evidence, whether written or oral, to establish on the balance of probabilities that the conduct of the officer concerned constitutes gross misconduct; and

(b) it is in the public interest for the officer concerned to cease to be a police officer without delay.

Section 23 Referral of case to misconduct proceedings

(1) Subject to regulation 45 (referral of case to special case hearing) and paragraph (7), on receipt of—

(a) a written report which is made under regulation 22(2) (report of investigation), or

(b) an equivalent report made under external procedures,

the relevant authority must, as soon as practicable, determine whether the officer concerned has a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or whether there is no case to answer.

(2) All referrals to misconduct proceedings under this regulation are subject to regulation 13(3) (outstanding or possible criminal proceedings).

(3) Subject to regulation 45(3) and paragraph (7), in a case where the disciplinary proceedings have been delayed by virtue of regulation 13(3), as soon as practicable after the relevant authority considers that such proceedings would no longer prejudice any criminal proceedings, it must make a further determination as to whether the officer concerned has a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or whether there is no case to answer.

(4) Where the relevant authority determines there is no case to answer, it may—

(a) take no further action against the officer concerned;

(b) take management action against the officer concerned; or

(c) refer the matter to be dealt with under the Performance Regulations .

(5) Where the relevant authority determines that there is a case to answer in respect of gross misconduct, it must refer the case to a misconduct hearing.

(6) Where the relevant authority determines that there is a case to answer in respect of misconduct—

(a) if the officer concerned had a final written warning in force at the assessment date, it must refer the case to a misconduct hearing;

(b) in all other cases, it may either—

(i) refer the case to a misconduct meeting; or

(ii) take management action against the officer concerned.

(7) Where the relevant authority—

(a) accepts a recommendation made under external procedures that proceedings should be brought at a misconduct meeting or a misconduct hearing, or

(b) is directed under such procedures to give effect to such a recommendation,

it must refer the case to such a meeting or hearing.

(8) If the relevant authority fails to—

(a) make the determination referred to in paragraph (1), and

(b) where appropriate, decide what action to take under paragraph (6),

before the end of 15 working days beginning with the first working day after receipt of the written report, it must notify the officer concerned in writing of the reason for this.

(9) Where under paragraph (6) the relevant authority determines to take management action, it must give the officer concerned written notice of this as soon as practicable.

Section 24 Withdrawal of case

(1) This regulation applies to cases which have been or are being investigated under Part 3.

(2) At any time before the beginning of misconduct proceedings, the relevant authority may direct that the case be withdrawn.

(3) Where a direction is given under paragraph (2)—

(a) the relevant authority may—

(i) take no further action against the officer concerned;

(ii) take management action against the officer concerned; or

(iii) refer the matter to be dealt with under the Performance Regulations ; and

(b) the relevant authority must as soon as reasonably practicable give the officer concerned written notice of the direction, indicating what action will be taken under paragraph (3)(a).

(4) Where—

(a) a direction is given under paragraph (2),

(b) the investigation has been completed,

(c) the officer concerned so requests, and

(d) the harm test is not satisfied,

the relevant authority must as soon as reasonably practicable after that request give the officer concerned a copy of the investigator’s report or such parts of that report as relate to the officer concerned.

Section 24A National security: power to give directions in relation to misconduct hearings

(1) If the Secretary of State considers it expedient in the interests of national security, the Secretary of State may give a direction (“the direction”), in writing, in relation to a misconduct hearing, relating to one or more of the following matters—

(a) that all or part of the misconduct hearing must be conducted in private;

(b) that a specified person must be excluded from all or part of the misconduct hearing;

(c) that steps must be taken to conceal the identity of a witness;

(d) that specified information must be excluded from any notice published under regulation 30A (notification of misconduct hearings) or 40A (publication of information in relation to outcome).

(2) The Secretary of State must provide the direction (or a copy of it) to the relevant authority as soon as possible.

(3) Following receipt of the direction, the relevant authority must supply a copy of it to the person conducting or chairing the misconduct hearing as soon as possible.

(4) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct hearing must comply with the direction.

Section 25 Notice of referral to misconduct proceedings and panel membership

(1) Where a case is referred to misconduct proceedings, the relevant authority must as soon as practicable give the officer concerned—

(a) written notice of—

(i) the referral;

(ii) the conduct that is the subject matter of the case and how that conduct is alleged to amount to misconduct or gross misconduct;

(iii) the name of the person appointed to (in the case of a misconduct meeting for an officer other than a senior officer) conduct or (in any other case) chair the misconduct proceedings and of the effect of paragraphs (3) to (6) of this regulation; and

(iv) the effect of regulation 10 (police friend and legal representation);

(b) a copy of any written statement, or transcript or note of any oral statement, the officer may have made to the investigator during the course of the investigation; and

(c) subject to the harm test, a copy of—

(i) the investigator’s report or such parts of that report which relate to the officer (together with any document attached to or referred to in that report which relates to the officer); and

(ii) any other relevant document gathered during the course of the investigation.

(2) As soon as practicable after—

(a) any person has been appointed under regulation 11(2) to advise the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings; and

(b) where the matter has been referred to misconduct proceedings conducted by a panel, the persons comprising the panel (other than the chair) have been determined,

the relevant authority must give the officer concerned written notice of the names of such persons and of the effect of paragraphs (3) to (6) of this regulation.

(3) The officer concerned may object to any person described in paragraph (1)(a)(iii) or (2).

(4) Any such objection must be made in writing to the relevant authority before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the officer concerned is given notice of the person’s name and must set out the grounds of objection of the officer concerned.

(5) The relevant authority must notify the officer concerned in writing as soon as reasonably practicable whether it upholds or rejects an objection made under paragraph (3).

(6) If the relevant authority upholds the objection, the person to whom the officer concerned objects must be replaced (in accordance with regulations 11(2), 29 or 30 as appropriate).

(7) As soon as reasonably practicable after any such new appointment, the relevant authority must notify in writing the officer concerned of the name of the person appointed.

(8) The officer concerned may object to a new appointment under paragraph (6).

(9) Any such objection must be made in accordance with paragraph (4), provided that it must be made before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after receipt of the notification referred to in paragraph (7); and the relevant authority must comply with paragraphs (5) to (7) in relation to that objection, but paragraph (8) shall not apply.

Section 26 Procedure on receipt of notice

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the officer concerned must comply with paragraphs (3) and (4) before the end of 14 working days beginning with the first working day after the documents have been supplied to the officer concerned under regulation 25(1).

(2) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may extend the period described in paragraph (1) where to do so is in the interests of justice.

(3) The officer concerned must provide to the relevant authority—

(a) written notice of whether or not the officer accepts that the conduct amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct;

(b) where the officer accepts that the conduct amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct, any written submission the officer wishes to make in mitigation; and

(c) where the officer does not accept that the conduct amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct, or the officer disputes part of the case, written notice of—

(i) the allegations the officer disputes and the officer’s account of the relevant events; and

(ii) any arguments on points of law the officer wishes to be considered by the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings.

(4) The officer concerned must give the relevant authority a copy of any document that the officer intends to rely on at the misconduct proceedings.

(5) Before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the date on which the officer concerned has complied with paragraph (3), the relevant authority and the officer concerned must each give to the other either—

(a) a list of proposed witnesses, including brief details of the evidence that each witness is able to adduce; or

(b) give notice that they do not have any proposed witnesses.

(6) Where there are proposed witnesses, the officer concerned and the relevant authority must, if reasonably practicable, agree a list of proposed witnesses, including brief details of the evidence that each witness is able to adduce.

Section 27 Witnesses

(1) As soon as practicable after any list of proposed witnesses has been—

(a) agreed under regulation 26(6); or

(b) where there is no agreement under regulation 26(6), given under regulation 26(5)(a),

the relevant authority must give a copy of that list or lists to the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings.

(2) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings must—

(a) consider the list or lists of proposed witnesses; and

(b) subject to paragraph (3), determine which, if any, witnesses should attend the misconduct proceedings.

(3) No witness may give evidence at misconduct proceedings unless the person conducting or chairing those proceedings reasonably believes that it is necessary for the witness to do so in the interests of justice, in which case the person conducting or chairing those proceedings must—

(a) where the witness is an MDP officer, cause that person to be ordered to attend the misconduct proceedings; and

(b) in any other case, cause the witness to be given notice that their attendance is requested and of the date, time and place of the proceedings.

Section 28 Timing and notice of misconduct proceedings

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (6), the misconduct proceedings must commence—

(a) in the case of a misconduct meeting, before the end of 20 working days; or

(b) in the case of a misconduct hearing, before the end of 30 working days,

beginning with the first working day after the documents have been given to the officer concerned under regulation 25(1).

(2) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may extend the period specified in paragraph (1) where they consider that it would be in the interests of justice to do so.

(3) Where the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings decides to extend the period under paragraph (2), or decides not to do so following representations from the officer concerned or the relevant authority, that person must provide in writing the reasons for that decision to the relevant authority and the officer concerned.

(4) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings must, if reasonably practicable, agree a date and time for the misconduct proceedings with the officer concerned.

(5) Where no date and time is agreed under paragraph (4), the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings must specify a date and time for those proceedings.

(6) Where a date and time is specified under paragraph (5) and—

(a) the officer concerned or the police friend will not be available at that date and time; and

(b) the officer concerned proposes an alternative date and time which satisfies paragraph (7),

the misconduct proceedings must be postponed to the date and time proposed by the officer concerned.

(7) An alternative date and time must—

(a) be reasonable; and

(b) fall before the end of 5 working days beginning with the first working day after the day specified by the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings.

(8) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings must give the officer concerned written notice of the date, time and place of the misconduct proceedings.

(9) Where the Director General or the Ombudsman is entitled to attend the misconduct proceedings to make representations (regulation 33) or to nominate a person to attend the proceedings as an observer (regulation 35), the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings must give the Director General or the Ombudsman written notice of the date, time and place of the proceedings.

Section 29 Persons conducting misconduct proceedings: officers other than senior officers

(1) This regulation applies where the officer concerned is an officer other than a senior officer.

(2) Where the case is referred to a misconduct meeting, that meeting must be conducted by a person appointed by the relevant authority who is not an interested party and who satisfies paragraph (3).

(3) The person must be—

(a) an MDP officer of at least one rank higher than the officer concerned; or

(b) unless the case substantially involves operational policing matters, a staff member who, in the opinion of the relevant authority, is more senior than the officer concerned.

(4) Where the case is referred to a misconduct hearing, that hearing must be conducted by a panel of three persons appointed by the relevant authority, comprising—

(a) a chair selected by the relevant authority from a list of persons who satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 5-year basis and have been nominated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of these Regulations;

(b) an MDP officer of the rank of superintendent or above, who is of at least one rank above the officer concerned; and

(c) a person selected by the relevant authority from a list of candidates maintained by the MOD Police Committee.

Section 30 Persons conducting misconduct proceedings: senior officers

(1) This regulation applies where the officer concerned is a senior officer.

(2) Whether the case is referred to a misconduct meeting or a misconduct hearing, that meeting or hearing must be conducted by a panel of persons specified in paragraph (3), appointed by the relevant authority.

(3) Those persons are—

(a) a chair selected by the relevant authority from a list of persons who satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 7-year basis and have been nominated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of these Regulations;

(b) the Inspector of Constabulary; and

(c) a person selected from a list maintained by the MOD Police Committee.

Section 30A Notification of misconduct hearings

(1) The person (“the chair”) chairing a misconduct hearing may require notice of the hearing to be published which contains information relating to one or more of the matters in paragraph (6).

(2) Before requiring notice to be published under paragraph (1), the chair must—

(a) specify the date (“the specified date”) by which written representations under paragraph (4) must be provided;

(b) inform the relevant authority of the specified date; and

(c) consider any representations made under paragraph (4).

(3) The relevant authority, having been informed of the specified date, must without delay inform the persons in paragraph (5)(a) and (c) to (f) of the specified date in writing.

(4) A person mentioned in paragraph (5) may make written representations to the chair in relation to—

(a) whether, and (if so) the extent to which, the chair should exclude any person from the whole or part of the hearing under regulation 35(6)(a);

(b) whether the chair should impose any conditions under regulation 35(6)(b); and

(c) whether the chair should require notice to be published under paragraph (1) and, if so, which information relating to the matters in paragraph (6) should be included in any such notice.

(5) The persons are—

(a) the officer concerned;

(b) the relevant authority;

(c) the complainant;

(d) any interested person;

(e) any witness;

(f) if the case was investigated under external procedures, the Director General or the Ombudsman.

(6) The matters referred to in paragraphs (1) and (4)(c) are—

(a) the name of the officer concerned;

(b) the date of the hearing;

(c) the time of the hearing;

(d) the place at which the hearing will take place;

(e) the conduct that is the subject matter of the case and how that conduct is alleged to amount to misconduct or gross misconduct, as set out in the notice given in accordance with regulation 25(1)(a).

(7) If the chair requires notice to be published in accordance with paragraph (1), the relevant authority must publish the notice on its website at least 5 working days before the day on which the hearing is to begin and, once published, it must remain there until the conclusion of the hearing.

Section 31 Documents to be supplied

(1) Prior to the misconduct proceedings the relevant authority must give the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings a copy of—

(a) the documents given to the officer concerned under regulation 25(1);

(b) the documents given by the officer concerned under—

(i) regulation 26(3) and (4); and

(ii) where paragraph (2) applies, regulation 49; and

(c) where the officer concerned does not accept that their conduct amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct, or disputes any part of the case, any other documents that, in the opinion of the relevant authority, should be considered at the misconduct proceedings.

(2) This paragraph applies where the relevant authority has directed, in accordance with regulation 47(1), that the case be dealt with under this Part.

(3) Prior to the misconduct proceedings the relevant authority must give the officer concerned a list of the documents given under paragraph (1) and a copy of any such document if the officer has not already been supplied with a copy.

Section 32 Attendance of officer concerned at misconduct proceedings

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the officer concerned must attend the misconduct proceedings.

(2) Where the officer concerned informs the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings in advance that the officer is unable to attend, on grounds which the person conducting or chairing those proceedings considers reasonable, that person may allow the officer concerned to participate in the proceedings by video link or other means.

(3) Where the officer concerned participates in the misconduct proceedings by video link or other means, or fails to attend the misconduct proceedings—

(a) the officer may nonetheless be represented at those proceedings by the—

(i) police friend; or

(ii) in the case of a misconduct hearing, the relevant lawyer (in which case the police friend may also attend); and

(b) the proceedings may proceed and be concluded in the absence of the officer concerned whether or not the officer is so represented.

(4) Where the officer concerned—

(a) attends the proceedings by video link or other means, and

(b) is represented in accordance with paragraph (3)(a),

the relevant lawyer or the police friend, or both, may participate using the video link or other means as are used by the officer concerned.

Section 33 Participation of Director General or Ombudsman and investigator at misconduct proceedings

(1) The Director General may attend the misconduct proceedings to make representations in any case where under external procedures—

(a) the Director General has managed the investigation or ... carried out the investigation; or

(b) the Director General has instructed the relevant authority to carry out the investigation on its own behalf or under the supervision of the Director General , and the Director General —

(i) recommended that misconduct proceedings should be brought; or

(ii) directed that the relevant authority must give effect to such a recommendation.

(2) The Ombudsman may attend the misconduct proceedings to make representations in any case where under external procedures—

(a) the case was investigated by the Ombudsman or on the Ombudsman’s behalf; or

(b) the Ombudsman—

(i) recommended that misconduct proceedings should be brought; or

(ii) directed that the relevant authority must give effect to such a recommendation.

(3) Where the Director General or Ombudsman intends to attend the misconduct proceedings—

(a) the Director General or Ombudsman (as the case may be) must notify—

(i) the complainant or any interested person, and

(ii) the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings,

prior to those proceedings; and

(b) the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings must notify the officer concerned prior to the proceedings.

(4) Where the Director General or Ombudsman attends a misconduct hearing, the Director General or Ombudsman (as the case may be) may be represented by a relevant lawyer .

(5) The investigator or any nominated person must attend the misconduct proceedings on the request of the person conducting or chairing those proceedings to answer questions.

(6) Where more than one allegation is considered in the same misconduct proceedings (regulation 9(7) ), this regulation applies to the whole of the proceedings and accordingly the Director General or Ombudsman may make representations in respect of any allegation.

(7) In this regulation, “nominated person” means a person who, in the opinion of—

(a) the relevant authority, or

(b) in a case where under external procedures the Director General managed the investigation or ... carried out the investigation, the Director General , or

(c) in a case where under external procedures the Ombudsman investigated the case, the Ombudsman,

has sufficient knowledge of the investigation of the case to be able to assist the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings.

Section 34 Attendance of complainant or interested person at misconduct proceedings

(1) This regulation applies in any misconduct proceedings arising from a case which has been investigated under external procedures.

(2) The relevant authority must notify the complainant or any interested person of the date, time and place of the misconduct proceedings.

(3) Subject to regulations 35(6) and (7) and 36, a complainant or interested person may attend a misconduct meeting as an observer.

(4) Subject to regulations 35(6) and (7) and 36, a complainant or interested person may be accompanied to a misconduct meeting by one other person, and if the complainant or the interested person has a special need, by one further person to accommodate that need.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may put any questions to the officer concerned that the complainant or interested person may request be put.

(8) For the purposes of this regulation, a person has a special need if, in the opinion of the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings, they have a disability or learning difficulty, or do not have sufficient knowledge of English to fully participate in or understand the misconduct proceedings.

Section 35 Attendance of others at misconduct proceedings

(1) ... A misconduct meeting must be held in private.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7) , regulation 36 and any direction to the contrary given under regulation 24A , a misconduct hearing must be held in public.

(3) A person nominated by the Director General or the Ombudsman may attend a misconduct meeting which arises from a case which has been investigated under external procedures as an observer.

(4) Unless expressly authorised by the person conducting or chairing a misconduct meeting, a witness, other than a witness who is also a complainant, an interested person or the officer concerned, may only attend the meeting for the purpose of giving evidence.

(5) The person conducting or chairing a misconduct meeting may permit a witness in the meeting to be accompanied by one other person at that meeting.

(6) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may—

(a) exclude from the whole or a part of the proceedings any person who would otherwise be entitled to attend the proceedings by virtue of regulation 34 or this regulation so far as that person considers necessary—

(i) in the interests of justice;

(ii) to protect the Convention rights of any person; or

(iii) where the proceedings involve confidential information and publicity would damage that confidentiality ; and

(b) in order to facilitate the proper conduct of those proceedings, impose conditions relating to the attendance at the proceedings of any person who is entitled to attend the proceedings by virtue of regulation 34 or this regulation.

(7) If a person is to give evidence as a witness in misconduct proceedings, the witness, and any person accompanying the witness, must not attend the proceedings before the witness is called to give evidence.

Section 36 Exclusion from misconduct proceedings

(1) This paragraph applies where it appears to the person conducting or chairing misconduct proceedings that any person may, in giving evidence, disclose information the disclosure of which should be prevented for any of the reasons set out in paragraphs (1)(a) to (g) of regulation 4 (the harm test).

(2) Where paragraph (1) applies, the person conducting or chairing misconduct proceedings must require any person to withdraw while the evidence is given.

Section 37 Procedure at misconduct proceedings

(1) Subject to these Regulations, the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may determine the procedure at those proceedings.

(2) The misconduct proceedings may not commence unless the officer concerned has been notified of the effect of regulation 10 (police friend and legal representation).

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may from time to time adjourn the proceedings if it appears to be necessary or expedient to do so.

(4) The misconduct proceedings may not, except in exceptional circumstances, be adjourned solely to allow the complainant or any witness or interested person to attend.

(5) The person representing the officer concerned may—

(a) address the proceedings in order to do any or all of the following—

(i) put the case of the officer concerned;

(ii) sum up that case;

(iii) respond on behalf of the officer concerned to any view expressed at the proceedings;

(iv) make representations concerning any aspect of the proceedings; and

(v) subject to paragraph (8), ask questions of any witnesses; and

(b) confer with the officer concerned.

(6) Where the person representing the officer concerned is a relevant lawyer, the police friend of the officer concerned may also confer with the officer concerned.

(7) The police friend or relevant lawyer of the officer concerned may not answer any questions asked of the officer concerned.

(8) Whether any question should or should not be put to a witness shall be determined by the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings.

(9) The person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings may allow any document to be considered at those proceedings notwithstanding that a copy of it has not been supplied—

(a) by the officer concerned to the relevant authority in accordance with regulation 26(3); or

(b) to the officer concerned in accordance with regulation 25(1).

(10) This paragraph applies where evidence is given at the misconduct proceedings that the officer concerned—

(a) was given written notice to attend an interview with an investigator (whether under regulation 21(5) or any equivalent notice given under external procedures) but failed to attend that interview;

(b) on being questioned by an investigator at any time after the officer was given written notice of investigation (whether under regulation 19(1) or any equivalent notice given under external procedures) failed to mention any fact relied on at the misconduct proceedings, being a fact which in the circumstances existing at the time, the officer concerned could reasonably have been expected to mention when so questioned; or

(c) in submitting any information or by not submitting any information at all under—

(i) regulation 20(1) (representations to the investigator),

(ii) regulation 26(3) or (4) (procedure on receipt of notice),

(iii) where a direction has been made under regulation 47 (remission of case), regulation 49 (procedure on receipt of notice),

(iv) any equivalent opportunities to submit information under external procedures,

failed to mention any fact relied on at the misconduct proceedings, being a fact which in the circumstances existing at the time, the officer concerned could reasonably have been expected to mention when providing such information.

(11) Where paragraph (10) applies, the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings may draw such inferences from the failure as appear proper.

(12) The person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings must review the facts of the case and decide whether the conduct of the officer concerned amounts—

(a) in the case of a misconduct meeting, to misconduct or not; or

(b) in the case of a misconduct hearing, to misconduct, gross misconduct or neither.

(13) The person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings may not find that the conduct of the officer concerned amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct unless—

(a) they are satisfied on the balance of probabilities that this is the case; or

(b) the officer concerned admits it is the case.

(14) The decision of the panel at a misconduct hearing may be based on a majority (with the chair having the casting vote if necessary).

Section 38 Senior officers: further meeting or further hearing of MOD Police Committee to consider disciplinary action

(1) Where the officer concerned is a senior officer, the persons conducting the misconduct proceedings must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the meeting or hearing—

(a) submit to the MOD Police Committee a report setting out—

(i) the finding of the persons conducting the proceedings (regulation 37(12));

(ii) the reasons for that finding;

(iii) in the case of a finding that the conduct of the officer concerned amounted to misconduct or gross misconduct, a recommendation as to any disciplinary action which in their opinion should be imposed; and

(iv) any other matter arising out of the proceedings which they desire to bring to the notice of the relevant authority;

(b) provide to the MOD Police Committee a copy of the direction (if any) given under regulation 24A(1).

(2) Where a report is submitted under paragraph (1), the persons conducting the misconduct proceedings must send a copy to—

(a) the officer concerned; and

(b) if the Director General or the Ombudsman was entitled to attend to make representations (regulation 33(1) or (2)), to the Director General or the Ombudsman.

(3) On receiving a report under paragraph (1), the MOD Police Committee must—

(a) in a case where the report was submitted following a misconduct meeting, hold a further meeting; or

(b) in a case where the report was submitted following a misconduct hearing, hold a further hearing,

for the purpose of considering what disciplinary action (if any) should be imposed.

(4) The provisions of these Regulations specified in paragraph (6) apply, with the modifications specified in paragraph (7)—

(a) where those provisions relate to misconduct meetings, to a further meeting held under paragraph (3)(a) as if it were a misconduct meeting;

(b) where those provisions relate to misconduct hearings, to a further hearing held under paragraph (3)(b) as if it were a misconduct hearing.

(5) The MOD Police Committee may appoint a person (who may be a relevant lawyer) to advise it at the further meeting or further hearing .

(6) The provisions are—

(a) regulation 10 (police friend and legal representation);

(b) regulation 12 (provision of notices or documents);

(c) regulation 13 (outstanding or possible criminal proceedings);

(ca) regulation 24A (national security: power to give directions in relation to misconduct hearings);

(d) regulation 26(5) and (6) (procedure on receipt of notice);

(e) regulation 27 (witnesses);

(f) regulation 28 (timing and notice of misconduct proceedings);

(fa) regulation 30A (notification of misconduct hearings);

(g) regulation 32 (attendance of officer concerned at misconduct proceedings);

(h) regulation 33 (participation of Director General or Ombudsman and investigator at misconduct proceedings);

(i) regulation 34 (attendance of complainant or interested person at misconduct proceedings);

(j) regulation 35 (attendance of others at misconduct proceedings);

(k) regulation 36 (exclusion from misconduct proceedings);

(l) regulation 37(1) to (11) (procedure at misconduct proceedings); and

(m) regulation 41 (record of misconduct proceedings).

(7) The modifications are that—

(a) each reference to the person conducting or chairing the misconduct proceedings has effect as a reference to ... the MOD Police Committee;

(aa) in regulation 24A, in paragraphs (3) and (4), “conducting or” is omitted;

(b) in regulation 26(5), the reference to the date on which the officer concerned has complied with paragraph (3) has effect as a reference to the date on which the report is submitted under paragraph (1) of this regulation; ...

(c) in regulation 28—

(i) the reference in paragraph (1) to the first working day after the documents have been supplied to the officer concerned has effect as a reference to the first working day after the report is submitted under paragraph (1) of this regulation;

(ii) the references in paragraph (3) to the relevant authority are omitted;

(d) in regulation 30A—

(i) paragraph (2)(b) is omitted;

(ii) in paragraph (3), “, having been informed of the specified date,” is omitted;

(iii) paragraph (5)(b) is omitted.

Section 39 Outcome of misconduct proceedings

(1) The person or persons conducting misconduct proceedings in the case of an officer other than a senior officer may—

(a) impose any of the disciplinary actions in paragraph (3)(a) or (b) as appropriate; or

(b) where they find the conduct amounts to misconduct but not gross misconduct following a misconduct meeting or hearing, record a finding of misconduct but take no further action.

(2) At a further meeting or further hearing held under regulation 38(3) the MOD Police Committee may—

(a) impose any of the disciplinary actions in paragraph (3)(a) or (b) as appropriate; or

(b) where the finding set out in the report is that the conduct amounted to misconduct but not gross misconduct, record a finding of misconduct but take no further action.

(3) The disciplinary action is—

(a) at a misconduct meeting or, in the case of a senior officer, a further meeting —

(i) management advice;

(ii) written warning; or

(iii) final written warning;

(b) at a misconduct hearing or, in the case of a senior officer, a further hearing —

(i) management advice;

(ii) written warning;

(iii) final written warning;

(iv) dismissal with notice; or

(v) dismissal without notice.

(4) The disciplinary action referred to in paragraph (3) has effect from the date on which it is notified to the officer concerned and, in the case of dismissal with notice, the person or persons imposing the disciplinary action must decide the period of notice to be given, subject to a minimum period of 28 days.

(5) Where there is a finding that the conduct of the officer concerned amounts to misconduct but not gross misconduct, the officer may not be dismissed (whether with or without notice) unless a final written warning was in force on the assessment date.

(6) Where the officer concerned had a written warning in force on the assessment date, a written warning may not be given.

(7) Where, on the assessment date, the officer concerned had a final written warning in force—

(a) neither a written warning nor a final written warning may be given; but

(b) subject to paragraph (9), in exceptional circumstances, the final written warning may be extended.

(8) Where a final written warning is extended under paragraph (7)(b), that warning remains in force for a period of 18 months from the date on which it would otherwise expire.

(9) A final written warning may be extended on one occasion only.

(10) Where there is a finding of gross misconduct and the person or persons considering the question of disciplinary action decides that the officer concerned shall be dismissed, the dismissal shall be without notice.

(11) Where the question of disciplinary action is being considered, the person or persons considering it—

(a) must have regard to the record of police service of the officer concerned as shown on the officer’s personal record;

(b) may receive evidence from any witness whose evidence would, in their opinion, assist them in determining the question; and

(c) must give—

(i) the officer concerned, the police friend or, at a misconduct hearing, the relevant lawyer, and

(ii) in the case of an officer other than a senior officer, the relevant authority or any person appointed to advise the relevant authority (regulation 11(2)),

an opportunity to make oral or written representations before any such question is determined.

Section 40 Notification of outcome

(1) The relevant authority must inform the officer concerned in writing of—

(a) the finding of the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings;

(b) the reasons for that finding; and

(c) in a case other than one to which regulation 38 (senior officers: meeting of MOD Police Committee to consider disciplinary action) applies, any disciplinary action imposed,

as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event before the end of 5 working days beginning with the first working day after the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings.

(2) In a case to which regulation 38 applies, the relevant authority must inform the officer concerned in writing of any disciplinary action imposed and the reasons for that action, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event before the end of 5 working days beginning with the first working day after the conclusion of the further meeting or further hearing held under regulation 38(3).

(3) Where there was a finding of misconduct or gross misconduct a written notice under paragraph (1) must include—

(a) where the officer concerned is an officer other than a senior officer—

(i) if the case was decided at a misconduct meeting, notice of the officer’s right of appeal under regulation 42; or

(ii) if the case was decided at a misconduct hearing, notice of the officer’s right of appeal to a police appeals tribunal;

(b) where the officer concerned is a senior officer, notice of the officer’s right of appeal to a police appeals tribunal;

(c) the name and address of the person to whom an appeal should be sent.

(4) The relevant authority must send a copy of any written notice under this regulation to—

(a) the Director General or the Ombudsman, in any case in which the Director General or the Ombudsman was entitled to attend to make representations under regulation 33(1) or (2); and

(b) to the complainant and any interested person, in any case to which regulation 34 applies.

(5) If the disciplinary action imposed as a result of the misconduct proceedings is dismissal (whether with or without notice), the relevant authority must send a copy of the written information provided to the officer concerned in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) to the College of Policing.

Section 40A Publication of information in relation to outcome

(1) The person (“the chair”) chairing a misconduct hearing, other than a further hearing under regulation 38(3)(b), may, having taken into account any representations made under regulation 30A or during the misconduct hearing, require the relevant authority to publish a notice containing information relating to one or more of the matters in paragraph (3), and the relevant authority must comply with any such requirement.

(2) In relation to a further hearing under regulation 38(3)(b), the relevant authority may, having taken into account any representations made under regulation 30A or during the further hearing, publish a notice during the notification period containing information relating to one or more of the matters in paragraph (3).

(3) The matters referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) are—

(a) the name of the officer concerned;

(b) the conduct that was the subject matter of the case and how that conduct was alleged to amount to misconduct or gross misconduct, as set out in the notice given in accordance with regulation 25(1)(a);

(c) the finding as a result of the hearing or the further hearing;

(d) any disciplinary action imposed.

(4) A notice under paragraph (1) or (2) must be published on the relevant authority’s website during the notification period and, once published, it must remain there for a period of at least 28 days.

(5) In paragraph (4), “the notification period” is the period from the beginning of the 7th working day after the date on which the misconduct hearing or the further hearing under regulation 38(3)(b) concluded, until the end of the 12th working day after that date.

Section 41 Record of misconduct proceedings

(1) The relevant authority must ensure that a record of the misconduct proceedings is taken, and in the case of a misconduct hearing that record must be verbatim.

(2) The relevant authority must, if the officer concerned so requests, give the officer concerned a copy of the record of the proceedings as soon as reasonably practicable after the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings.

Section 42 Appeal from misconduct meeting: officers other than senior officers

(1) Where the officer concerned is an officer, other than a senior officer, whose case was decided at a misconduct meeting, the officer may, subject to the provisions of this regulation, appeal—

(a) if the officer admitted that the conduct amounted to misconduct, against any disciplinary action imposed under regulation 39; or

(b) if (after the officer denied misconduct) the person conducting the misconduct meeting found that the officer’s conduct amounted to misconduct, against that finding or any disciplinary action imposed under regulation 39.

(2) The only grounds of appeal under this regulation are that—

(a) the finding or disciplinary action imposed was unreasonable;

(b) there is evidence that could not reasonably have been considered at the misconduct meeting which could have materially affected the finding or decision on disciplinary action; or

(c) there was a serious breach of the procedures set out in these Regulations or other unfairness which could have materially affected the finding or decision on disciplinary action.

(3) An appeal under this regulation may be commenced by the officer concerned giving written notice of appeal to the relevant authority—

(a) subject to paragraph (4), before the end of 7 working days beginning with the first working day after the written notice and summary of reasons is given under regulation 40; and

(b) stating the grounds of appeal and whether a meeting is requested.

(4) The relevant authority may extend the time period specified in paragraph (3)(a) where it considers that it would be in the interests of justice to do so.

(5) An appeal under this regulation shall be determined—

(a) where the person who conducted the misconduct meeting was a member of a police force, by—

(i) a member of a police force of at least one rank higher than that person; or

(ii) unless the case substantially involves operational policing matters, a staff member who, in the opinion of the relevant authority, is more senior than that person;

(b) where the person who conducted the misconduct meeting was a staff member, by—

(i) a member of a police force who, in the opinion of the relevant authority is more senior than that person; or

(ii) a more senior staff member,

who is not an interested party, appointed by the relevant authority.

(6) The relevant authority must as soon as reasonably practicable give the officer concerned written notice of—

(a) the name of the person appointed to determine the appeal under paragraph (5);

(b) the name of any person appointed under regulation 11(2) to advise the person determining the appeal; and

(c) the effect of paragraphs (7) to (10) of this regulation.

(7) Once notified the officer concerned may object to any person who is to—

(a) determine the appeal; or

(b) advise the person determining the appeal.

(8) Any such objection must be made in writing to the relevant authority before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the officer concerned is given notice of the person’s name and must set out the grounds of objection of the officer concerned.

(9) The relevant authority must notify the officer concerned in writing whether it upholds or rejects an objection made under paragraph (7).

(10) If the relevant authority upholds the objection, the person to whom the officer concerned objects shall be replaced (in accordance with regulation 11(2) or paragraph (5) as appropriate).

(11) As soon as reasonably practicable after any such new appointment, the relevant authority shall notify in writing the officer concerned of the name of the new person appointed.

(12) The officer concerned may object to the appointment of a person appointed under paragraph (10).

(13) Any such objection must be made in accordance with paragraph (8), provided that it must be made before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the officer concerned is given the notice referred to in paragraph (11); and the relevant authority must comply with paragraphs (9) to (11) in relation to that objection, but paragraph (12) shall not apply.

Section 43 Appeal meeting

(1) This regulation applies where the officer concerned requests a meeting in the written notice of appeal (regulation 42(3)).

(2) The person determining the appeal must determine whether the notice of appeal sets out arguable grounds of appeal and—

(a) if so, the person determining the appeal must hold an appeal meeting with the officer concerned, subject to paragraphs (3) and (5), before the end of 5 working days beginning with the first working day after that determination; and

(b) if not, that person must dismiss the appeal.

(3) The person determining the appeal may extend the time period specified in paragraph (2)(a) where that person considers that it would be in the interests of justice to do so.

(4) The person determining the appeal must give written notice of the date, time and place for the appeal meeting to—

(a) the officer concerned;

(b) where the Director General or the Ombudsman was entitled to attend the misconduct meeting to make representations (regulation 33(1) or (2)), or to nominate a person to attend the meeting as an observer (regulation 35(3) ), the Director General or the Ombudsman;

(c) where the complainant or an interested person was entitled to attend the misconduct meeting (regulation 34), the complainant or interested person.

(5) Where—

(a) the officer concerned or the police friend will not be available at that time; and

(b) the officer concerned proposes an alternative time which satisfies paragraph (6),

the appeal meeting must be postponed to the time proposed by the officer concerned.

(6) An alternative time must—

(a) be reasonable; and

(b) fall before the end of 5 working days beginning with the first working day after the day specified by the person determining the appeal.

(7) Prior to the appeal meeting the relevant authority must give the person determining the appeal a copy of—

(a) the documents given to the person who held the misconduct meeting as specified in regulation 31(1);

(b) the notice of appeal given by the officer concerned under regulation 42(3);

(c) the record of the misconduct meeting taken under regulation 41(1); and

(d) any evidence of a kind referred to in regulation 42(2)(b) that the officer concerned wishes to submit in support of the appeal.

Section 44 Procedure and finding of the appeal

(1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, the person determining the appeal may determine the procedure at the appeal meeting.

(2) Any interested person or complainant entitled to be given notice of the appeal meeting under regulation 43(4) may attend the appeal meeting as an observer.

(3) Where the officer concerned objects to the complainant or interested person being present while a submission is made in mitigation on the officer’s behalf, the person determining the appeal may require the complainant or interested person to withdraw while the submission is made.

(4) The person determining the appeal may impose such conditions as they see fit relating to the attendance of persons under paragraph (2) at the appeal meeting (including circumstances in which they may be excluded) in order to facilitate the proper conduct of the appeal meeting.

(5) The person determining the appeal may—

(a) confirm or reverse the decision appealed against;

(b) deal with the officer concerned in any manner in which the person conducting the misconduct meeting could have dealt with that officer under regulation 39.

(6) Before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the determination of the appeal, the officer concerned shall be given written notice of that determination with a summary of the reasons.

(7) The decision of the person determining the appeal shall take effect by way of substitution for the decision of the person conducting the misconduct meeting and as from the date of the written notice of the outcome of that meeting.

(8) In a case where the Director General or the Ombudsman was entitled to attend the misconduct meeting to make representations (regulation 33(1) or (2)), or to nominate a person to attend the meeting as an observer (regulation 35(3) ), the relevant authority must give the Director General or the Ombudsman written notice of the determination of the appeal with a summary of the reasons.

Section 45 Referral of case to special case hearing

(1) On receipt of—

(a) a statement made under regulation 22(3) (investigator’s belief that special conditions satisfied), or

(b) a statement from the Director General or Ombudsman to the effect that—

(i) a case is being, or has been, investigated under external procedures; and

(ii) in the view of the Director General or Ombudsman (as the case may be), the special conditions are satisfied,

the relevant authority must determine whether the special conditions are satisfied.

(2) In any case where special case proceedings have been delayed by virtue of regulation 13(3), the relevant authority must, as soon as practicable after it considers that such proceedings would no longer prejudice any criminal proceedings, make a further determination as to whether the special conditions are satisfied.

(3) In any case where disciplinary proceedings have been delayed by virtue of regulation 13(3), the relevant authority may, as soon as practicable after it considers that such proceedings would no longer prejudice any criminal proceedings, determine whether the special conditions are satisfied.

(4) Where the relevant authority determines that the special conditions are satisfied, unless it considers that the circumstances are such as to make it inappropriate to do so, it must certify the case as a special case and refer it to a special case hearing.

(5) This paragraph applies where the relevant authority determines—

(a) that the special conditions are not satisfied; or

(b) that, although those conditions are satisfied, the circumstances are such that it is inappropriate to certify the case as a special case.

(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, the relevant authority must—

(a) if the determination was made on receipt of a statement made under regulation 22(3)(a), return the case to the investigator to complete the investigation;

(b) if the determination was made on receipt of a statement made under paragraph (1)(b), and the investigation has not been completed, return the case to the Director General or the Ombudsman (as the case may be) for the investigation to be completed;

(c) in any other case, proceed in accordance with Part 4.

(7) Where the relevant authority is to proceed in accordance with Part 4, regulation 23 shall be read as if for paragraph (1) there were substituted—

(1) Subject to paragraph (7), the relevant authority must, as soon as practicable, determine whether the officer concerned has a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or whether there is no case to answer.

(8) All referrals to a special case hearing under this regulation are subject to regulation 13(3) (outstanding or possible criminal proceedings).

Section 45A National security: power to give directions in relation to special case hearings

(1) If the Secretary of State considers it expedient in the interests of national security, the Secretary of State may give a direction (“the direction”), in writing, in relation to a special case hearing, relating to one or more of the following matters—

(a) that all or part of the special case hearing must be conducted in private;

(b) that a specified person must be excluded from all or part of the special case hearing;

(c) that steps must be taken to conceal the identity of a witness;

(d) that specified information must be excluded from any notice published under regulation 52A (notification of special case hearings) or 60(A) (publication of information in relation to outcome).

(2) The Secretary of State must provide the direction (or a copy of it) to the relevant authority as soon as possible.

(3) Following receipt of the direction, the relevant authority must supply a copy of it to the person conducting or chairing the special case hearing as soon as possible.

(4) The person conducting or chairing the special case hearing must comply with the direction.

Section 46 Notice of referral to special case hearing

(1) Where a case is certified as a special case and referred to a special case hearing (regulation 45(4)), the relevant authority must, before the end of 3 working days beginning with the first working day after the case is so certified—

(a) give the officer concerned written notice of the certification and referral which describes the conduct which is the subject matter of the case and how that conduct is alleged to amount to gross misconduct; and

(b) supply the officer with a copy of—

(i) the certificate issued under regulation 45(4);

(ii) any statement the officer may have made to the investigator during the course of the investigation; and

(iii) subject to the harm test—

(aa) the investigator’s report or such parts of that report as relate to the officer (together with any document attached to or referred to in that report as relates to the officer); and

(bb) any other relevant document gathered during the investigation.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, “relevant document” means a document which, in the opinion of the relevant authority, is relevant to the case of the officer concerned.