Federation responds to conduct and dismissal reform proposals

25 May 2023

Nottinghamshire Police Federation has warned that proposed changes to conduct and dismissal regulations could undermine policing by giving undemocratic powers to chief officers under the guise of reform,

Branch chair Simon Riley spoke out after Labour MP Harriet Harman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for the automatic dismissal of any serving officer who is convicted of a serious criminal offence and the automatic suspension of an officer charged with a serious criminal offence.

They also propose handing chief constables the power to reopen old misconduct investigations.

In a joint letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman outlining the proposals, Mr Khan and Ms Harman said their Police Reform (Performance and Disciplinary) Bill had the support of MPs from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Ms Harman described the current procedures for disciplining and dismissing police officers as “not fit for purpose”.

But the Police Federation warned the reforms contained within the newly-published Bill would “put police officers at the mercy of a politically-motivated mechanism which is both arbitrary and creates bad law”.

Harriet Harman and Sadiq Khan have called for sweeping reform

Simon described the proposals as knee-jerk responses to a crisis in policing which could lead to further erosion of  public trust and confidence in the service.

He said: “We are very disappointed that the livelihoods of our members are being used as a political football in this way.

“Police officers gave up their industrial rights more than a 100 years ago in an agreement with the government of the day. 

“But that century-old agreement has always been a two-way street and the regulations around conduct and dismissals are designed to reflect that and provide some protection for our members.

“This feels very much like politicians trying to score points and is not the answer - policing needs strong leadership and cross-party support not divisive rhetoric which could have a negative impact.”

Simon said the Police Federation had voiced its strong opposition to the proposals outlined in the Bill which he said would simply “hand undemocratic powers to chief officers under the guise of reform”. 

The Police Federation said it was “actively engaging” in the ongoing Home Office review into the process of police officer dismissals, which is examining various aspects of the decision-making.

In February, it submitted detailed evidence to the review to ensure it “reflects the correct state of affairs” and suggests “robust reforms”.

It warned that cultural reform and service-wide change must not be brought in by giving sweeping, uncontrolled powers which would allow police chiefs to dismiss officers without following due legal process.

It accepted the need for change in police recruitment, vetting, training, standards and leadership but insisted any reform  must be fair, considered and backed by proper evidence rather than conjecture.

The Police Federation has also been demanding a Royal Commission on policing to evaluate and define the role, purpose and responsibility of the police by engaging members of the public.