Police Reform Act 2002

Guidance and regulations E+W

22 Power of the [F1 Director General] to issue guidance E+W

(1) The [F1 Director General] may issue guidance—

(a) to [F2 local policing bodies],

(b) to chief officers, and

(c) to persons who are serving with the police otherwise than as chief officers,

concerning the exercise or performance, by the persons to whom the guidance is issued, of any of the powers or duties specified in subsection (2).

(2) Those powers and duties are—

(a) those that are conferred or imposed by or under this Part; and

(b) those that are otherwise conferred or imposed but relate to—

(i) the handling of complaints;

(ii) the means by which recordable conduct matters [F3 or DSI matters] are dealt with; or

(iii) the detection or deterrence of misconduct by persons serving with the police.

(3) Before issuing any guidance under this section, the [F1 Director General] shall consult with—

[F4 [F5 (a) such persons as appear to the [F1 Director General] to represent the views of police and crime commissioners;

(aa) the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime;

(ab) the Common Council;]

(b) [F6 the National Police Chiefs' Council]; and]

(c) such other persons as [F7 the Director General] thinks fit.

(4) The approval of the Secretary of State shall be required for the issue by the [F1 Director General] of any guidance under this section.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of the preceding provisions of this section, the guidance that may be issued under this section includes—

(a) guidance about the handling of complaints which have not yet been recorded and about dealing with recordable conduct matters [F8 or DSI matters] that have not been recorded;

(b) guidance about the procedure to be followed by the appropriate authority when recording a complaint or any recordable conduct matter [F9 or DSI matter];

F10 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) guidance about how to protect the scene of an incident or alleged incident which—

(i) is or may become the subject-matter of a complaint; or

(ii) is or may involve a recordable conduct matter [F9 or DSI matter];

(e) guidance about the circumstances in which it is appropriate (where it is lawful to do so)—

(i) to disclose to any person, or to publish, any information about an investigation of a complaint [F11 , conduct matter or DSI matter]; or

(ii) to provide any person with, or to publish, any report or other document relating to such an investigation;

F12 (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) Nothing in this section shall authorise the issuing of any guidance about a particular case.

(7) It shall be the duty of every person to whom any guidance under this section is issued to have regard to that guidance in exercising or performing the powers and duties to which the guidance relates.

(8) A failure by a person to whom guidance under this section is issued to have regard to the guidance shall be admissible in evidence in any disciplinary proceedings or on any appeal from a decision taken in any such proceedings.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 22 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 30(2); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F2 Words in s. 22(1)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 287(2); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F3 Words in s. 22(2)(b)(ii) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 8(2); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F4 S. 22(3)(a)(b) substituted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 6, 53, Sch. 4 para. 11; S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(d) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F5 S. 22(3)(a)-(ab) substituted for s. 22(3)(a) (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 287(3); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2 para. 65)

F6 Words in s. 22(3)(b) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 14 paras. 6, 7(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 41

F7 Words in s. 22(3)(c) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 30(3); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F8 Words in s. 22(5)(a) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 8(3)(a); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F9 Words in s. 22(5)(b)(d)(ii) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 8(3)(b); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F10 S. 22(5)(c) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(e)(i)

F11 Words in s. 22(5)(e)(i) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 8(3)(c); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F12 S. 22(5)(f) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(e)(ii)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2: power to amend conferred (E.W.) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by 2004 c. 21, s. 4K(2)(4) (as inserted by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 5; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38)

C2 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (28.12.2005) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(2)(6), Sch. 1

C3 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (5.8.2009) by The UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2133), reg. 4

C4 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (7.4.2010) by The UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/782), reg. 4

C5 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (5.8.2010) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1813), reg. 5 (with reg. 11)

C6 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/62), regs. 1, 4 (with reg. 3(6))

C7 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (7.10.2013) by The National Crime Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2325), regs. 1(1), 5

C8 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (30.4.2017) by The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/521), regs. 1, 5

23 Regulations E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the procedure to be followed under any provision of this Part.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (1) or of any other power to make regulations conferred by any provision of this Part, the Secretary of State may also by regulations provide—

(a) for the appropriate authority, in the case of a complaint [F13 that relates to conduct of a person serving with the police], to be required, in accordance with procedures provided for in the regulations—

(i) to supply the person complained against with a copy of the complaint; and

(ii) to supply the complainant with a copy of the record made of that complaint;

(b) for the matters to be taken into account in making any determination as to which procedure to adopt for handling complaints and dealing with recordable conduct matters [F14 and DSI matters];

(c) for any procedure for the purposes of this Part to be discontinued where—

(i) a complaint is withdrawn;

(ii) the complainant indicates that he does not wish any further steps to be taken; or

(iii) the whole or part of the investigation of the complaint has been postponed until the conclusion of criminal proceedings and the complainant fails to indicate after the conclusion of those proceedings that he wishes the investigation to be resumed;

and for the manner in which any such withdrawal or indication is to be effected or given, and for the circumstances in which it is to be taken as effected or given;

(d) for requiring the subject-matter of a complaint that has been withdrawn to be treated for the purposes of this Part, in the cases and to the extent specified in the regulations, as a recordable conduct matter;

(e) for the manner in which any procedure for the purposes of this Part is to be discontinued in a case where it is discontinued in accordance with the regulations, and for the consequences of any such discontinuance;

(f) for the circumstances in which any investigation or other procedure under this Part may be or must be suspended to allow any other investigation or proceedings to continue, and for the consequences of such a suspension;

(g) for the regulation of the appointment of persons to carry out investigations under this Part or to assist with the carrying out of such investigations, for limiting the persons who may be appointed and for the regulation of the carrying out of any such investigation;

[F15 (h) for combining into a single investigation the investigation of any complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter with the investigation or investigations of any one or more, or any combination, of the following—

(i) complaints (whether or not relating to the same conduct),

(ii) conduct matters, or

(iii) DSI matters,

and for splitting a single investigation into two or more separate investigations;]

(i) for the procedure to be followed in cases in which the [F16 Director General] relinquishes the F17 ... [F18 direction] of any investigation and for the consequences of [F19 the Director General] doing so;

(j) for the manner in which any reference of a complaint [F20 , conduct matter or DSI matter] to the [F16 Director General] is to be made;

(k) for applying the provisions of this Part with such modifications as the Secretary of State thinks fit in cases where a complaint or recordable conduct matter relates to the conduct of a person who has ceased to be a person serving with the police since the time of the conduct;

(l) for applying the provisions of this Part with such modifications as the Secretary of State thinks fit in cases where a complaint or conduct matter relates to the conduct of a person—

(i) whose identity is unascertained at the time at which a complaint is made or a conduct matter is recorded;

(ii) whose identity is not ascertained during, or subsequent to, the investigation of a complaint or recordable conduct matter;

F21 (m) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(n) for the records to be kept by [F22 local policing bodies] and chief officers—

(i) with respect to complaints and purported complaints;

(ii) with respect to recordable conduct matters [F23 or DSI matters]; and

(iii) with respect to the exercise and performance of their powers and duties under this Part;

(o) for the [F16 Director General] to be required to establish and maintain a register of such information provided to [F24 the Director General or the Office] in accordance with this Part as may be of a description specified in the regulations and for regulating the extent to which information stored on that register may be published or otherwise disclosed to any person by the [F16 Director General];

(p) for chief officers to have power to delegate the exercise or performance of powers and duties conferred or imposed on them by or under this Part;

[F25 (pa) for local policing bodies to have power to delegate the exercise or performance of powers and duties conferred or imposed on them by or under this Part (including powers and duties that are acquired by virtue of giving a notice under section 13A);]

(q) for the manner in which any notification for the purposes of any provision of this Part is to be given and the time at which, or period within which, any such notification must be given.

[F26 (r) for enabling representations on behalf of a person to whose conduct an investigation relates to be made to the [F16 Director General] by a person who is not that person's legal representative but is of a description specified in the regulations.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Words in s. 23(2)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 4 para. 5

F14 Words in s. 23(2)(b) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 9(2); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F15 S. 23(2)(h) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 9(3); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F16 Words in s. 23 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 31(2); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F17 Words in s. 23(2)(i) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(f)(i)(a)

F18 Word in s. 23(2)(i) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(f)(i)(b)

F19 Words in s. 23(2)(i) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 31(3); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F20 Words in s. 23(2)(j) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 9(4); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F21 S. 23(2)(m) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(f)(ii)

F22 Words in s. 23(2)(n) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 288; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F23 Words in s. 23(2)(n)(ii) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 9(5); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F24 Words in s. 23(2)(o) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 31(4); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F25 S. 23(2)(pa) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 23(1), 183(1)(5)(e)

F26 S. 23(2)(r) inserted (3.11.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 2; S.I. 2008/2712, art. 2, Sch. para. 17(a) (subject to arts. 3, 4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (28.12.2005) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(2)(6), Sch. 1

C10 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (5.8.2009) by The UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2133), reg. 4

C11 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (7.4.2010) by The UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/782), reg. 4

C12 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (5.8.2010) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1813), reg. 5 (with reg. 11)

24 Consultation on regulations E+W

Before making any regulations under this Part, the Secretary of State shall consult with—

[F27 (a) the Office;

(aa) the Director General;]

[F28 [F29 (b) such persons as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the views of police and crime commissioners;

(ba) the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime;

(bb) the Common Council;]

(c) [F30 the National Police Chiefs' Council]; and]

(d) such other persons as he thinks fit.

Textual Amendments

F27 S. 24(a)(aa) substituted for s. 24(a) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 32; S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F28 S. 24(b)(c) substituted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 6, 53, Sch. 4 para. 12; S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(d) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F29 S. 24(b)-(bb) substituted for s. 24(b) (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 289; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2 para. 66)

F30 Words in s. 24(c) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 14 paras. 6, 7(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 41

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (28.12.2005) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(2)(6), Sch. 1

C14 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (5.8.2009) by The UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2133), reg. 4

C15 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (7.4.2010) by The UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/782), reg. 4

C16 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (5.8.2010) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1813), reg. 5 (with reg. 11)

C17 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (7.10.2013) by The National Crime Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2325), regs. 1(1), 5

C18 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (30.4.2017) by The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/521), regs. 1, 5

Commencement Information

I1 S. 24 wholly in force at 15.11.2003; s. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 108(2); s. 24 in force except for paragraph (a) at 1.10.2002 by S.I. 2002/2306,{art. 2(b)(vi)}; s. 24 in force in so far as not already in force at 15.11.2003 by S.I. 2003/2593, art. 2(a)