Policing and Crime Act 2017

19 (1) Paragraph 18 (investigations managed by the Commission) is amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1), for “manage” substitute “direct”.

(3) For sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) On being given notice of that determination, the appropriate authority shall, if it has not already done so, appoint—

(a) a person serving with the police (whether under the direction and control of the chief officer of police of the relevant force or of the chief officer of another force), or

(b) a National Crime Agency officer,

to investigate the complaint or matter.

(2A) The Commission may require that no appointment is made under sub-paragraph (2) unless it has given notice to the appropriate authority that it approves the person whom that authority proposes to appoint.

(2B) Where at any time the Commission is not satisfied with the person investigating, the Commission may require the appropriate authority, as soon as reasonably practicable after being required to do so—

(a) to select another person falling within sub-paragraph (2)(a) or (b) to investigate the complaint or matter, and

(b) to notify the Commission of the person selected.

(2C) Sub-paragraph (2B) applies whether the person investigating was appointed—

(a) before the appropriate authority was given notice of the Commission’s determination that it should direct the investigation by the appropriate authority,

(b) under sub-paragraph (2) (including where the appointment was approved by the Commission in accordance with sub-paragraph (2A)), or

(c) under sub-paragraph (2D)(a).

(2D) Where a selection made in pursuance of a requirement under sub-paragraph (2B) has been notified to the Commission—

(a) the appropriate authority shall appoint that person to investigate the complaint or matter if, but only if, the Commission notifies the authority that it approves the appointment of that person;

(b) if the Commission notifies the authority that it does not approve the appointment of that person, the appropriate authority must make another selection in accordance with sub-paragraph (2B).

(2E) A person appointed under this paragraph to investigate any complaint or conduct matter—

(a) in the case of an investigation relating to any conduct of a chief officer, must not be a person under that chief officer’s direction and control, and

(b) in the case of an investigation relating to any conduct of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or of the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, must be a person nominated by the Secretary of State for appointment under this paragraph (and approved for appointment in accordance with sub-paragraph (2A) (if required) or (2D)(a)).

(2F) A person appointed under this paragraph to investigate any DSI matter—

(a) in relation to which the relevant officer is a chief officer, must not be a person under that chief officer’s direction and control, and

(b) in relation to which the relevant officer is the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, must be a person nominated by the Secretary of State for appointment under this paragraph (and approved for appointment in accordance with sub-paragraph (2A) (if required) or (2D)(a)).”

(4) After sub-paragraph (3) insert—

“(4) The person appointed to investigate the complaint or matter shall keep the Commission informed of the progress of the investigation.”