Chair hopes new Code of Ethics can restore public trust in policing

13 February 2024

Nottinghamshire Police Federation chair Simon Riley hopes the new Code of Ethics will help restore public trust in policing.

The College of Policing has launched a revised Code of Ethics which guides ethical decision making by officers and outlines the professional behaviours the public can expect from the police service.

The Code 'supports everyone in policing to deliver a service that is fair, ethical and can be trusted to make decisions in the interest of keeping people safe’, the College said.

Simon welcomed the revised Code, but said members would need training to fully understand the changes and they fit with other guidance and regulations.

He said: “We welcome the revised Code of Ethics, which we hope will be another step in building trust and confidence in policing.

“The Code was first introduced 10 years ago and this version has been updated to reflect the world in which we’re now policing.

“It outlines how we will work with our communities and provides ethical guidance for our members, who often have to make decisions in the moment.

“For our members to be fully supported in that, they will need training to understand the changes and how the Code fits with Police Regulations and other ethical guidance - and they must be given the protected learning time for that.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has been working closely with the College on the new Code, and has broadly welcomed it.

However, PFEW said it was disappointing that significant concerns it raised about how the revised Code of Ethics should fit within the existing regulatory framework remain.

PFEW said there was a mismatch between what is cited within the Home Office Guidance [Conduct, Efficiency and Effectiveness, and Police Officer Misconduct, Unsatisfactory Performance and Attendance Management Procedures], the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, and the new Code of Ethics.

PFEW said that the previous Code was integral to police officers’ decision-making process. Home Office Guidance stated ‘the Code of Ethics provides general guidance on how behaviour that does not uphold policing principles or meet expected standards should be handled’ but there is no guidance on handling such behaviour within the revised Code of Ethics.

Gemma Fox, PFEW deputy national secretary, said: “We fully welcome the ethos and focus on cultivating a culture of learning, development and honest reflection.

“A crucial element of this involves the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, with the introduction of the Performance Requires Improvement process, where officers can take part in Reflective Practice with their line manager if their actions do not amount to misconduct or gross misconduct.

"This gives police officers the opportunity to embed learning and ensure performance is improved as quickly as possible, signifying a step towards putting blame culture in the past.

“However, the statutory definition of Practice Requiring Improvement includes consideration of the Code of Ethics to inform any assessment or judgement of conduct.

“These are just two examples, but it demonstrates not only the paramount importance for the new Code of Ethics to be embedded into the Home Office Guidance and the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 to mirror one another, but also highlights how the Code of Ethics underpins a vital section of the Conduct Regulations – therefore merely removing mention of the Code of Ethics as a quick fix is not a feasible solution.

“I would strongly urge the Home Office to change and revise the guidance on police officer conduct and Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 in accordance with the revised Code of Ethics.”

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