House of Lords event in Time Limits campaign

14 September 2021

Talks between the Police Federation and members of the House of Lords take place today as part of a campaign to outlaw lengthy and damaging police disciplinary investigations.

The Police Federation will call for an amendment to the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill that will protect the mental health and welfare of police officers under investigation by introducing a 12-month cap on investigations.

More than 40 outstanding  police misconduct investigations lasting for more than a year have been reported during the last 18 months and are costing taxpayers millions of pounds.

The meeting with peers at New Scotland Yard, which comes as part of the ongoing Time Limits campaign, has been welcomed by Suffolk Police Federation.

Branch chair Darren Harris said: “The Police Federation is campaigning for legislation to bring an end to disciplinary investigations that go on for more than one year.

“Our members should not be placed in a position where uncertainty hangs over their careers for a prolonged period of time.

“The impact of such investigations on their mental health and the mental health of their family and colleagues can be devastating.

“It is unfair, unacceptable and high time legislation was brought in to ensure it can no longer happen.”

Police Federation estimates show an investigation lasting up to six months costs £15,101 per officer but rockets to £302,012 when it drags on for five years or more.

The Home Office has added a clause to the regulations which means the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or appropriate authority, has to give an explanation if investigations last longer than 12 months but there is still no sanction. 

National Federation conduct and performance lead Phill Matthews said: “Police and Crime Commissioners have absolutely no power to do anything other than welcoming the explanation.

“That can’t be right. It’s not right for our members who are still suffering the mental trauma of waiting to find out their fate, and unfair for those victims who deserve closure.”

After working with lawyers, the Federation is suggesting an amendment which would see a legally qualified person – who usually sits as a chair at disciplinary hearings – look at the investigation from the 12-month point to determine if the length of time is rational and set a reasonable deadline for the investigation to be concluded by.

The proposed amendment has already gained cross-party support but the Federation is urging the policing minister to discuss the beneficial change with us.

Phill said: “We don’t think the policing minister understands the full impact of the discipline system on our members and the public – that is a sad state of affairs for us.

“We are not after an absolute limit, we are pushing for something which is best for the public and police officers and would welcome a discussion with the policing minister on this important topic.” 

Phill said things had improved in recent years but warned the Time Limits campaign still had much work to do.

He said: “There are cases going on for years and years which have a detrimental effect on our members’ wellbeing and mental health, plus the cost to the public is phenomenal.

“One investigation dragged out for a year or more is one too many from our point of view.”