Police Disciplinary Procedures Explained

The police disciplinary framework in England and Wales is governed by the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, the Police (Performance) Regulations 2020, and accompanying Home Office guidance. There are separate processes for conduct matters (where an officer's behaviour may have fallen below the Standards of Professional Behaviour) and performance matters (where an officer is not performing their duties to the required standard).

When a potential conduct matter is identified, the appropriate authority (usually the force's Professional Standards Department) carries out a severity assessment. This determines whether the alleged behaviour, if proved, would amount to misconduct or gross misconduct. Misconduct is a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour. Gross misconduct is a serious breach that would justify dismissal. The assessment determines how the matter is dealt with: misconduct may result in management action or a misconduct meeting, while gross misconduct must be referred to a misconduct hearing.

Before formal proceedings, the appropriate authority may offer the officer the opportunity to participate in reflective practice. This is a non-disciplinary route introduced to encourage officers to learn from mistakes that do not warrant formal action. It involves a structured conversation about what happened and what the officer could do differently. Reflective practice is not available for gross misconduct or for matters involving criminal conduct.

The performance process is separate from conduct. Where an officer's performance is unsatisfactory, they are given a first stage improvement notice setting out the areas for improvement and a review period. If performance does not improve, a second stage meeting may result in a final written improvement notice. If performance remains unsatisfactory after the second stage, a third stage hearing may result in dismissal, reduction in rank, or redeployment. Officers have the right to representation at all stages and the right to appeal outcomes to a Police Appeals Tribunal.