Investigations into police officers suspected of committing offences in the line of duty are to be sped up under changes designed to increase confidence in the police.
The Home Office announced an overhaul of the system after conducting a review into the frameworks in place that hold officers to account. Under the changes, the threshold for referring officers for criminal prosecution will be amended so that only cases with a “reasonable prospect of conviction” should be referred. This mirrors the test for members of the public suspected of committing a crime.
In addition, the watchdog responsible for investigating the police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), will be given the ability to refer cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) earlier – once an investigation has finished, rather than waiting for a final report to be drafted.
The Home Office argues this gives officers and alleged victims more clarity, sooner.
The home secretary, James Cleverly, said: “It is vital for the public and our policing that officers are held to the highest of standards and a balance must be struck between making sure officers can do their jobs safely and confidently and holding them to account.
“That is why the changes we are setting out today, and further measures in the coming months, will ensure both our officers and the public have faith in the accountability system.”
The review, which did not consider any live investigations, was launched last year after concerns were raised that officers were not fully confident about using their powers, particularly when using force.
The measures are to be brought forward as amendments to the criminal justice bill and form part of a series of proposals from the government to improve police accountability.
A white paper is planned later in the year, with further changes for consultation including pilots placing time limits on IOPC investigations.
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Mark Rowley, welcomed the “home secretary’s recognition that many officers have lost trust in the system”, but added: “The measures announced today are a step in the right direction towards putting that right, but they deliver only very limited tangible progress for officers in the short term.
“The commitment to consult on substantial further change is positive, but officers across the country will now be looking to government to ensure that it happens swiftly and is followed by implementation. It is only then that they will begin to have the reassurance they need.”
The government also announced the appointment of the Home Office policing director, Rachel Watson, as the new director general of the IOPC.
The appointment was announced after a separate review into the work of the IOPC was published which found flaws in the governance structure of the watchdog.
Watson said: “An independent and respected IOPC is essential to public confidence in policing. The independent review sets out where change is needed as well as the organisation’s many strengths including its professional, committed staff. I am determined to work with them to build on what is great about the organisation and ensure that it is in the best possible position to meet the needs of the future.”
