Part 1Police reform
CHAPTER 5Police forces in areas with elected local policing bodies
The metropolitan police force
48Suspension and removal of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner
(1)
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime may, with the approval of the Secretary of State—
(a)
suspend the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from duty, or
(b)
suspend the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from duty.
(2)
If the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime suspends the Commissioner, or Deputy Commissioner, from duty, that Office must notify the Secretary of State of the suspension.
(3)
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime may, subject to subsections (5) and (6), and with the approval of the Secretary of State—
(a)
call upon the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to resign or retire, or
(b)
call upon the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to resign or retire.
(4)
The Commissioner, or Deputy Commissioner, must resign or retire if called upon to do so in accordance with subsection (3).
(5)
Before calling upon the Commissioner, or Deputy Commissioner, to retire or resign, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime must—
(a)
give the police officer a written explanation of the reasons why the Office is proposing to call for the retirement or resignation;
(b)
give the police officer the opportunity to make written representations about the proposal to call for the police officer’s resignation or retirement; and
(c)
consider any written representations made by the police officer.
(6)
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime must comply with subsection (5) before seeking the approval of the Secretary of State to call upon the Commissioner, or Deputy Commissioner, to retire or resign.
(7)
This section is subject to regulations under section 50 of the Police Act 1996.
(8)
This section is without prejudice to—
(a)
section 42(2);
(b)
section 43(3); or
(c)
regulations under the Police Pensions Act 1976.