Independent misconduct hearing panels ‘should not feel pressured by chiefs and politics’, says PFEW
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is concerned that updated misconduct guidance “carries a risk of prejudice and could sway the decisions”.
While “broadly supportive” of the College of Policing’s revised guidelines on police misconduct proceedings published on Wednesday (August 17), it stressed that independent misconduct hearing panels “should not feel pressured by chiefs and politics”.
The new guidance has a greater focus on violence against women and girls, with any misconduct relating to these cases having “a high degree of culpability and severe outcomes”.
And the possible wider impact on public confidence of an officer’s wrongdoing should be a large part of the decision-making of independent chairs.
College of Policing chief executive officer Andy Marsh said the process will be fair but any officer whose behaviour is found to damage public confidence in the police service “should expect to be sacked”.
PFEW conduct and performance lead Phil Jones said: “We are broadly supportive of the new guidelines as it is vital the service continues to build public confidence focusing on tackling violence against women and girls, and domestic violence.
“We absolutely condemn any dishonest or inappropriate behaviour and we agree officers who are found guilty of gross misconduct should be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
“However, it is important to point out we already have a fair and transparent system in place with independent panels consisting of both officers and members of the public, who make decisions based on the facts and evidence presented to them.”
He added: “It is important the service shows the public it is taking these issues seriously, but the re-emphasis on the matter, which is already being handled through a fair and transparent system, carries a risk of prejudice and could sway the decisions made by legally qualified chairs and independent panels.
“Legally qualified chairs should feel empowered to make their own decisions based on facts, and not feel influenced by chief constables and undue political and social pressures.”
Mr Jones said moving forward the PFEW will continue to work with forces and the Government to “ensure disciplinary processes are of the highest standard not just for officers, but also for members of the public”.
He said PFEW will continue to lobby for sanctions when misconduct investigations impact those involved for more than a year.