Police Reform Act 2002

Restrictions on proceedings pending the conclusion of an investigation E+W

20 (1) No criminal or disciplinary proceedings shall be brought in relation to any matter which is the subject of an investigation in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule [F1 until— E+W

[F2 (a) the conduct to which the investigation relates has been certified in accordance with regulations under paragraph 20A, or]]

[F3 (b)] a report on that investigation has been submitted to the [F4 Director General] or to the appropriate authority under paragraph 22 [F5 or 24A] [F6 or, where under paragraph 19 the Director General has personally carried out the investigation, a report has been completed by the Director General].

F7 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The restrictions imposed by this paragraph in relation to the bringing of criminal proceedings shall not apply to the bringing of criminal proceedings by the Director of Public Prosecutions in any case in which it appears to him that there are exceptional circumstances which make it undesirable to delay the bringing of such proceedings.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 3 para. 20(1) substituted for word (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 159, 178, Sch. 11 para. 2(a); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(v)

F2 Sch. 3 para. 20(1)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(h)(ii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F3 Words in Sch. 3 para. 20(1) renumbered (1.7.2005) as Sch. 3 para. 20(1)(b) by virtue of Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 159, 178, Sch. 11 para. 2(b); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(v)

F4 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)

F5 Words in Sch. 3 para. 20(1) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 18; S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)

F6 Words in Sch. 3 para. 20(1)(b) inserted (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(11); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F7 Sch. 3 para. 20(2) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(h)(iii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 3 para. 20 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

C2 Sch. 3 para. 20 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/62), regs. 1, 23 (with reg. 3(6))

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 3 para. 20 wholly in force at 1.4.2004; Sch. 3 para. 20 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108(2); Sch. 3 para. 20 in force for specified purposes at 1.10.2002 by S.I. 2002/2306, art. 4(e); Sch. 3 para. 20 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/913, art. 2(d)