Police Reform Act 2002

Conduct matters arising in civil proceedings E+W

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

(a) a [F1 local policing body] or chief officer has received notification (whether or not under this paragraph) that civil proceedings relating to any matter have been brought by a member of the public against [F2 that body] or chief officer, or it otherwise appears to a [F1 local policing body] or chief officer that such proceedings are likely to be so brought; and

(b) it appears to [F2 that body] or chief officer (whether at the time of the notification or at any time subsequently) that those proceedings involve or would involve a conduct matter.

(2) [F3 The authority] or chief officer—

(a) shall consider whether it or, as the case may be, he is the appropriate authority in relation to the conduct matter in question; and

(b) if it or he is not, shall notify the person who is the appropriate authority about the proceedings, or the proposal to bring them, and about the circumstances that make it appear as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b).

(3) Where a [F4 local policing body] or chief officer determines for the purposes of this paragraph that it or, as the case may be, he is the appropriate authority in relation to any conduct matter, it or he shall [F5 determine whether the matter is one which it or he is required to refer to the [F6 Director General] under paragraph 13 or is one which it would be appropriate to so refer].

[F7 (4) In a case where the appropriate authority determines that the matter is one which it or he is required to refer to the [F6 Director General] under paragraph 13, or is one which it would be appropriate to so refer, it or he shall record the matter.

(4A) In any other case, the appropriate authority shall determine whether the matter falls within a description of matters specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(4B) In a case where the appropriate authority determines that the matter does not fall within such a description, it or he shall record the matter.

(4C) In any other case, the appropriate authority may (but need not) record the matter.

(4D) In a case where the appropriate authority—

(a) records a matter under this paragraph, and

(b) is not required to refer the matter to the [F6 Director General] under paragraph 13 and does not do so,

the appropriate authority may deal with the matter in such other manner (if any) as it or he may determine.]

(5) Nothing in [F8 sub-paragraph (4) or (4B)] shall require the appropriate authority to record any conduct matter if it is satisfied that the matter has been, or is already being, dealt with by means of criminal or disciplinary proceedings against the person to whose conduct the matter relates.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph civil proceedings involve a conduct matter if—

(a) they relate to such a matter; or

(b) they are proceedings that relate to a matter in relation to which a conduct matter, or evidence of a conduct matter, is or may be relevant.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the times at which, or the periods within which, any requirement of this paragraph is to be complied with; and the period from which any such period is to run shall be such time as may be specified in those regulations or as may be determined in a manner set out in the regulations.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 3 para. 10(1)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 301(2)(a)(i); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F2 Words in Sch. 3 para. 10(1)(a)(b) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 301(2)(a)(ii); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F3 Words in Sch. 3 para. 10(2) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 301(2)(b); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F4 Words in Sch. 3 para. 10(3) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 301(2)(c); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F5 Words in Sch. 3 para. 10(3) substituted (22.11.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 14 para. 11(2); S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(g) (with art. 6)

F6 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)

F7 Sch. 3 para. 10(4)-(4D) substituted for Sch. 3 para. 10(4) (22.11.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 14 para. 11(3); S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(g) (with art. 6)

F8 Words in Sch. 3 para. 10(5) substituted (22.11.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 14 para. 11(4); S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(g) (with art. 6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 3 para. 10 excluded by The Independent Police Complaints Commission (Transitional Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/671), art. 4(3) (as inserted (15.4.2004) by The Independent Police Complaints Commission (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1092), art. 2(5))

C2 Sch. 3 para. 10 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. 10 wholly in force at 1.4.2004; Sch. 3 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108(2); Sch. 3 para. 10 in force for specified purposes at 1.10.2002 by S.I. 2002/2306, art. 4(e); Sch. 3 para. 10 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/913, art. 2(d)