Key Facts

• Amendment 63 is proposed in clause 73, page 64, line 36.
• The amendment aims to add a new subsection (2A) to the clause.
• The College of Policing’s code would be required to set out actions and behaviours considered ethical.
• Amendment 135 aims to prohibit sexual relationships and abusive conduct by police officers.
• Amendment 149 enhances the duty of candour, requiring disclosure of relevant information in major incident investigations.
• New clause 48 requires diligent consideration of all intelligence related to a suspect.
• Amendment 135 aims to clarify that domestic abuse committed by a police officer is contrary to professional standards.
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct's guidance permits off-duty conduct as part of an officer’s private life, which does not constitute a breach of ethics or professional behaviour unless it discredits the service.
• Jackie, a victim of her husband's domestic abuse, felt unable to continue working after reporting it and was treated differently from her perpetrator who continued his career.
• New clause 48 is based on the Gaia principle, named after Gaia Pope-Sutherland, advocating for proper investigation of VAWG cases with due diligence.
• Research indicates that a small number of prolific offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crimes related to VAWG.
• Clause 73 places a duty on the College of Policing to issue a code of practice relating to ethical policing.
• The statutory code of practice was published on December 6th and includes provisions for ethical behavior, openness, and candor.
• A data washing exercise rechecked 307,000 police officers against the police national database, resulting in 461 cases of concern, with nine referred for criminal investigation.
• Ongoing vetting checks against the police national database are funded by the Government.
• 88 cases out of 461 have been triaged for disciplinary investigation due to credible allegations.
• The College of Policing published a code of practice in July last year outlining ongoing vetting requirements.
• The codes of practice address professional boundaries and power imbalances between police officers and the public.
• Amendment 135 specifically references managing relationships within policing.
• Specialist agencies mentioned in amendment 136 include the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, and Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
• The codes of practice were published under section 39A of the Police Act 1996.
• New clause 6 amends Section 50 of the Police Act 1996 to provide for automatic dismissal of police officers upon conviction for a serious criminal offence.
• New clause 7 introduces provisions for automatic suspension of officers charged with indictable-only or either-way offences, initially suspending them without disciplinary proceedings for up to 30 days.
• The proposed amendments aim to enhance the vetting process and accountability within the police force.
• New clause 8 amends section 39A of the Police Act 1996 to allow for automatic dismissal of officers who fail vetting.
• New clause 9 amends section 50 of the Police Act 1996, providing regulations that may require police officers to hand over personal mobile phones if there is reasonable suspicion of gross misconduct.
• New clause 34 amends section 29(4)(a) of the Police Reform Act 2002, ensuring police officers and staff have the right to make complaints of domestic abuse against their colleagues.
• Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that forces do not collect data on non-molestation orders for police officers.
• Nearly 45% of victims of police-perpetrated domestic abuse are themselves police officers or staff.
• Section 29(4) of the Police Reform Act prevents police officers and staff from making complaints against their own force members.
• New clause 35 proposes re-vetting every five years.
• Officers who fail vetting due to serious violent or sexual offences would be dismissed.
• New clause 36 suggests removing warrant cards from officers under investigation for crimes related to violence against women and girls.