Time Limits

There is currently no cap on how long an allegation or complaint against a police officer can be investigated. A significant number of misconduct cases take years to come to conclusion.

The negative impact of this prolonged uncertainty on a police officer, their families and their colleagues cannot be underestimated. It effects their long term mental health and wellbeing and they are often placed under restrictions which means they are unable to support colleagues on the frontlines. They become de-skilled, requiring more training, and can lose confidence.

The Federation is calling for a time limit for disciplinary proceedings against officers. We suggest it should be set at 12 months from allegations being made. That would fit in and complement the new regulations relating to Police and Crime Commissioners being given explanations when cases take longer than 12 months.

To safeguard genuinely delayed cases, a Legally Qualified Chair should then be appointed and have the power to terminate or conduct robust case management to bring cases to swift conclusions, safeguarding the position of both complainants and officers. 

Some figures for context:

• 31,097 public complaints were made against officers in 2018/19, of these only 33 officers were dismissed (0.1 per cent)
• Approximately 4,000 internally raised conduct allegations resulted in 192 dismissals in 2018/19
• £13 million was paid to suspended officers by 29 police forces between 2013 and 2018
• Studies show a link between length of investigation and officers’ deteriorating mental health.