Police Reform Act 2002

23 (1) This paragraph applies where— E+W

(a) a report on an investigation carried out under the [F1 direction] of the [F2 Director General] is submitted to [F3 the Director Genera] under sub-paragraph [F4 (3)] of paragraph 22; or

(b) a report on an investigation carried out by a person designated by the [F2 Director General] is submitted to [F3 the Director General] [F5 , or is otherwise completed,] under sub-paragraph [F6 (5)] of that paragraph.

[F7 (1A) But if, following the submission [F8 or completion] of such a report, the [F2 Director General] determines under section 13B that the complaint or recordable conduct matter is to be re-investigated the provisions of this paragraph other than sub-paragraph (2)(a) [F9 (read with sub-paragraph (2ZA))] do not apply, or cease to apply, in relation to that report.]

(2) On receipt of the report [F10 (or on its completion by the Director General)], the [F2 Director General]—

(a) if it appears that the appropriate authority has not already been sent a copy of the report, shall send a copy of the report to that authority;

[F11 (b) shall determine whether the conditions set out in sub-paragraphs (2A) and (2B) are satisfied in respect of the report;]

(c) if [F3 the Director General] determines that [F12 those conditions are so satisfied], shall notify the Director of Public Prosecutions of the determination and send him a copy of the report; and

(d) shall notify the appropriate authority [F13 and the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (5)] of [F14 the Director General's] determination under paragraph (b) and of any action taken by [F3 the Director General] under paragraph (c).

[F15 (2ZA) Where the [F2 Director General] would contravene section 21A by sending a copy of a report in its entirety to the appropriate authority under sub-paragraph (2)(a) or to the Director of Public Prosecutions under sub-paragraph (2)(c), the [F2 Director General] must instead send a copy of the report after having removed or obscured the information which by virtue of section 21A the [F2 Director General] must not disclose.]

[F16 (2A) The first condition is that the report indicates that a criminal offence may have been committed by a person [F17 (if any)] to whose conduct the investigation related.

(2B) The second condition is that—

(a) the circumstances are such that, in the opinion of the [F2 Director General], it is appropriate for the matters dealt with in the report to be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, or

(b) any matters dealt with in the report fall within any prescribed category of matters.]

(3) The Director of Public Prosecutions shall notify the [F2 Director General] of any decision of his to take, or not to take, action in respect of the matters dealt with in any report a copy of which has been sent to him under sub-paragraph (2)(c).

F18 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) [F19 The] persons are—

(a) in the case of a complaint, the complainant and every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to the complaint under section 21; and

(b) in the case of a recordable conduct matter, every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to that matter under that section.

[F20 (5A) On receipt of the report [F21 (or on its completion by the Director General)], the [F2 Director General] shall also—

(a) seek the views of the appropriate authority on—

(i) whether any person to whose conduct the investigation related has a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or has no case to answer,

(ii) whether or not any such person's performance is unsatisfactory, and

(iii) the other matters (if any) dealt with in the report (but not on whether the conditions in sub-paragraphs (2A) and (2B) are satisfied in respect of the report),

(b) having considered the views (if any) of the appropriate authority, make a determination as to—

(i) the matters described in paragraph (a)(i) and (ii), and

(ii) whether or not disciplinary proceedings should be brought against any person to whose conduct the investigation related and, if so, what form the disciplinary proceedings should take,

(c) having considered the views (if any) of the appropriate authority and if the [F2 Director General] considers it appropriate to do so, make a determination as to any matter dealt with in the report, being a determination other than one that [F3 the Director General] is required to make under sub-paragraph (2)(b) or paragraph (b) of this sub-paragraph,

(d) notify the appropriate authority of [F14 the Director General's] determination under paragraph (b) and any determination under paragraph (c),

(e) where the [F2 Director General] determines that disciplinary proceedings of a form specified in the determination should be brought against a person, direct the appropriate authority to bring those proceedings, and

(f) direct the appropriate authority to determine what action (if any) the appropriate authority will in its discretion take, not being action involving the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, in respect of the matters dealt with in the report and having regard to the [F22 Director General's] determination under paragraph (b) and any determination under paragraph (c).

(5B) The appropriate authority must comply with a direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(e) and must secure that the proceedings, once brought, are proceeded with to a proper conclusion.

(5C) The [F2 Director General] may at any time withdraw a direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(e); and sub-paragraph (5B) shall not impose any obligation in relation to any time after the withdrawal of the direction.

(5D) The appropriate authority must keep the [F2 Director General] informed of the action it takes in response to a direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(e).

(5E) The appropriate authority must comply with the direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(f) and must notify the [F2 Director General] of the determination it makes.

(5F) On receipt of the report [F23 (or on its completion by the Director General)], where it is a report of an investigation of a complaint, the [F2 Director General] may also make a recommendation under paragraph 28ZA.]

F24 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F24 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F24 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F25 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F25 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F25 (11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F25 (12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F26 (13) In relation to a DSI matter in respect of which a determination has been made under paragraph 21A(2) [F27 , (2A)] [F28 , (2B)] or (4), the references in this paragraph to the appropriate authority are references to the appropriate authority in relation to the person whose conduct is in question.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(h)(viii)

F2 Words in Sch. 3 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. 56(2) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6)); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F3 Words in Sch. 3 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. 56(4) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6)); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F4 Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(a) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 22(2)(a); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F5 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(b) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(a)

F6 Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(b) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 22(2)(b); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F7 Sch. 3 para. 23(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 18(3), 183(1)(5)(e)

F8 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(b)

F9 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 19(3)(c)(i), 183(1)(5)(e)

F10 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(i)

F11 Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(b) substituted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(2)(a) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)

F12 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(c) substituted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(2)(b) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)

F13 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(d) inserted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(2)(c) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)

F14 Words in Sch. 3 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(5) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6))

F15 Sch. 3 para. 23(2ZA) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 19(3)(c)(ii), 183(1)(5)(e)

F16 Sch. 3 para. 23(2A)(2B) inserted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(3) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)

F17 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 4 para. 8(2)

F18 Sch. 3 para. 23(4) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 15(9)(a), 183(1)(5)(e)

F19 Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(5) substituted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(4) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)

F20 Sch. 3 para. 23(5A)-(5F) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 26(2)

F21 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(5A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(ii)

F22 Words in Sch. 3 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(3) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6))

F23 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(5F) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(iii)

F24 Sch. 3 para. 23(6)-(8) 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. 26(3)

F25 Sch. 3 para. 23(9)-(12) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 15(9)(a), 183(1)(5)(e)

F26 Sch. 3 para. 23(13) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 22(3); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F27 Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(13) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(h)(ix)

F28 Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(13) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(iv)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 3 para. 23 applied (with modifications) (28.12.2005) by virtue of The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(4)(6), Sch. 3

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 3 para. 23 wholly in force at 1.4.2004; Sch. 3 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108(2); Sch. 3 para. 23 in force for specified purposes at 1.10.2002 by S.I. 2002/2306, art. 4(e); Sch. 3 para. 23 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/913, art. 2(d)