Combining and splitting investigations
21.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where the Commission is managing or carrying out an investigation it may—
(a)combine that investigation with another investigation; or
(b)split that investigation into two or more separate investigations,
if it considers that it is more efficient and effective, or is otherwise in the public interest, to do so.
(2) The Commission shall not take any action under paragraph (1) in relation to an investigation managed by the Commission under regulation 19 except after consulting the chief officer of police of the police force carrying out the investigation.
(3) Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the Commission from determining that—
(a)where an investigation is split into two or more separate investigations, those investigations may take different forms;
(b)two or more separate investigations which take different forms may be combined into a single investigation.