National Reward Team Briefing Note - Changes to Police Performance Regulations 2020 May 2025

Introduction

This Briefing Note is to make forces aware that the Home Office, as part of its publicised changes to the Police Conduct Regulations 2020, have also updated the Police Performance Regulations 2020. These changes will take immediate effect, and forces will need to change their relevant procedures.

Unsatisfactory performance and attendance procedures (UPP and UAP) have been streamlined so that underperforming officers can be taken through the process more quickly, with the procedure moving from a three-stage process to a two-stage process.

In-line with the regulations, this change in procedure is to take effect from 28th May 2025.

Summary of Changes to UPP and UAP

- The procedure is to change from three stages to two stages. This is achieved by removing the previous second stage and making the previous third stage the new second stage.

- By virtue of the stage alteration, a ‘final written improvement notice’ is no longer an available sanction at any point. This is replaced by ‘written improvement notice’ as there is in effect only one stage for improvement prior to the final stage.

- The improvement window is now defined as must be within 3 months, or within 12 months in exceptional circumstances. It was previously defined as a period defined by the line manager but must be within 12 months. The NRT has observed most forces used a 3-month window under the previous procedure.

- Previously, a 2nd line manager would deal with an appeal following stage 1. This is now replaced by an ‘appeal manager’, who should be an officer at the same rank as the 2nd line manager.

- Unsatisfactory performance (or gross incompetence) or unsatisfactory attendance which came to the attention of the force before 28th May 2025 is to remain under the provisions of the previous three stage procedure. Whilst unsatisfactory performance (or gross incompetence) or unsatisfactory attendance which came to the attention of the force from the 28th May 2025 onwards, the new procedure is to be applied.

The changes to the regulations can be found here – Police (Conduct, Performance and Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (Performance Regulation changes are outlined in Part 4).

Queries can be answered by contacting the NPCC National Reward Team (NRT) via – Nationalrewardteam@npcc.police.uk

The full legislation is below:

Home_Office_Statutory_Guidance_0502.pdf